Born on August 24, 1963, Omenka, Iba Jacob completed his secondary school education in 1982 at St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Ito in Benue State of Nigeria. In the same year, he was admitted into the School of Basic Studies, Makurdi, Benue State where he completed his Advanced Level (A’L) education in 1984. At the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he studied English Language and graduated with Second Class Honours in 1987.

After the completion of the one year compulsory National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC) with the Industrial Training Fund Headquarters, Jos, Plateau State in 1988, he was employed as an Administrative Officer by Oju Local Government Council of Benue State in 1989. Dr. Omenka attended the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and obtained Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree with special bias in Local Government Administration in 1993.

In July 1994, Dr. Omenka joined the services of Benue State University, Makurdi, as an Administrative Officer. A year later he made an Inter-cadre transfer and became a lecturer in the Department of Political Science of the same University. He obtained a doctorate (PhD) Degree in Political Economy and Development Studies from the University of Jos, Nigeria.

In the course of his working career, Dr. Omenka has held several administrative and academic positions, the highlight of which includes: Area Development Officer, Oju LGC, Secretary, Examination Regulations and Irregularities Committee, Faculty and Departmental Examination Officer, Coordinator, Diploma in Personnel Management, and Business Manager, Nigerian Journal of Political and Administrative Studies. This is in addition to being member of several university and government committees. He was a Member/Secretary, Labour, Social Welfare and Women Affairs sub-committee, Benue Advance Plan: a development agenda of the Government of Benue State. Secretary, Movement for the Creation of Oyongo LGA out of Oju LGA of Benue State, as well as Member, Benue State Examinations Board. He also served as the Sole Administrator, College of Education Oju, Benue State. He was until May 2011 the Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Benue State. He is now the Hon. Commissioner for Rural Development and Cooperatives, Benue State.

His hobbies are farming, writing and reading stories. Dr. Omenka is dedicated to community service.

He is married to Mrs. Benedicta Omenka and has five children.