Barr. Sharon Ikeazor was born on the 28th August 1961 into the family of Chimezie Ikeazor (SAN), the Oboli of Obosi in Anambra State and founder of the Free Legal Aid for the Poor in Nigeria.
She started her primary school education at the St. Mary’s Convent School, Lagos, her Secondary Schools at the Queen of The Rosary College, Onitsha and the Godolphin School, Salisbury, England. Then for Higher Studies at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria .As a legal practitioner, politician, management consultant and philanthropist and social activist, Sharon has been a creative problem-solver, who consistently demonstrates passion and excellence in the efficiency, productivity, and quality of her work. She is well-known and highly-regarded not only for her responsiveness, keen knowledge of Business Development for Foreign Multinationals as well as National and International Government Liaison and Contract Development, thoroughness and accuracy, but also for her pleasant, kind, and calm demeanor. Sharon is an exceptional indigene of Obosi who deserves to be celebrated.
She has thirty (30) years post-graduation experience as a Solicitor and Business Development Consultant and vast knowledge in the field of Project Management. Her particular experience and capabilities include Business Development for Foreign Multinationals as well as National and International Government Liaison and Contract Development.
Sharon was Vice President for Business Development/Government Relations for a United States Consulting firm owned by Ambassador Andrew Young, GWI Consulting responsible for providing advisory and consulting services in the Oil and Gas and Energy Sectors in Nigeria and for developing emerging business opportunities in Africa. While at GWI, Sharon was a principal consultant for General Electric (GE) on the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Prior to joining GWI, Ikeazor worked with Shell Petroleum Development Company as a lawyer and for Fluor Daniel Nigeria as a project coordinator for construction management projects.
Sharon obtained her Bachelor of Law (LL.B Hons.) from the University of Benin and Certificate of Practice from the Nigerian Law School in 1985. She has had the opportunity to be involved in several start-up and reorganizational projects for both foreign and local companies and is considered as a versatile individual, having worked in Banking/Corporate Finance, Administration/Legal/HR and project monitoring fields
In 2011, she contested and won the position of National Women leader of Congress for Progressive Change Party. And being a believer in building the capacity of women she partnered with the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the UNDP in the training of Women in Leadership and Political Roles in Nigeria. With the merger of the three political parties in Nigeria in 2013, she emerged the Interim National Women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – a position she held till her appointment to the Board of Trustees of the APC in 2014, a position she holds till today
During her tenure as the APC National Women Leader, Sharon established the APC Young Women’s Forum to mentor and sponsor young female politicians. She has continued to organize and participate in leadership, training and mentoring of young women.
Ikeazor runs a prison outreach program that pays the fines of awaiting trial persons and also undertakes free legal representation for some inmates. She founded a Non-Governmental Organization, The Wakiliyan Mata Empowerment Initiative for the Internally Displaced Women, who are given back their dignity by disbursement of interest-free loans to start small scale businesses. Sharon is the Vice President of Women in Politics Forum which she co-founded to build the capacity of female politicians across political lines. As a firm believer and advocate for the girl-child education, she is sponsoring a number of girls through primary and tertiary education. She emerged APC Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial Zone.
She was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on the 26th of September, 2016. An appointment that would provide her the platform to bring to reality her vision to positively impact on the lives of pensioners with upmost respect and empathy as well as contribute her quota to national development. She brings with her into her job a legacy of integrity her passion for service and humanity. And one of her favorite sayings By Thomas Paine: “The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion” exemplifies the woman, Sharon Ikeazor.
This is a measure of why her short stay in PTAD is a restoration of hope in pension administration in Nigeria.
