About Joseph Nkama Ekumankama (Hon.)

Biography of Hon. Joseph Nkama Ekumankama

Hon. Joseph Nkama Ekumankama is a Nigerian lawyer, politician and public administrator from Ebonyi State. He is from Edda in Ebonyi State and has built a career spanning legal practice, state government administration and federal public service. He is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Afikpo North/Edda Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election.

Ekumankama has a legal background and holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and was called to the Nigerian Bar. He also obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from Nasarawa State University, Keffi. His legal training provided the foundation for his subsequent work in public administration and government.

Before his federal political activities, Ekumankama served in the Ebonyi State Government. He was appointed Commissioner for Investment and Abuja Liaison, a position in which he was involved in matters relating to investment promotion, government liaison and economic development.

In 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari nominated Ekumankama as a ministerial nominee from Ebonyi State. The Senate subsequently confirmed his appointment, and he was sworn into the Federal Executive Council in July 2022 as Minister of State for Health. In that capacity, he served until the end of the Buhari administration in 2023.

During his ministerial screening, Ekumankama spoke on issues including investment, education and healthcare. He called for increased funding for education and urged the Federal Government and university lecturers' union to seek a compromise over the prolonged university strike at the time.

Following his period in the Federal Executive Council, Ekumankama returned to political activities in Ebonyi State. In the 2026 APC primary process, he emerged as the party's candidate for the Afikpo North/Edda Federal Constituency for the 2027 House of Representatives election. The APC later included his name in its revised list of candidates submitted for the election.

Joseph Nkama Ekumankama's career therefore spans legal practice, state-level administration, federal ministerial service and elective politics. His 2027 candidacy represents his move into direct federal legislative contest after his previous experience in government administration and the Federal Executive Council.