Abiodun Essiet is a Nigerian nurse, gender activist, community development expert, and politician known for her work in public health, women’s empowerment, and governance. She began her career as a nurse, using her expertise to address healthcare challenges in underserved communities. Her passion for gender advocacy led her to establish the Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls (AEIG), a non-governmental organization focused on empowering women and girls, promoting education, and combating gender-based violence. Through AEIG, she has collaborated with agencies like the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to tackle human trafficking and support vulnerable populations.

In the political space, Essiet has been a strong advocate for citizen engagement and inclusive governance. She contested for the councillorship of Orozo Ward in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in 2018 and later served as the Senior Special Assistant on ICT, Donor Agencies, and Civil Societies to the AMAC Chairman, where she facilitated initiatives that leveraged technology to empower youth and women. In 2024, she was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement for the North Central Region of Nigeria. In this role, she launched the Citizens’ Assembly for the North Central Region, a platform designed to strengthen citizen participation in governance and ensure that government policies align with community needs.

Beyond her political career, Essiet has represented Nigeria at international forums such as the International Mayors Forum in Dakar, Senegal, and the Annual Young Women’s Political Leadership Summit in Zambia. Her leadership has earned her several accolades, including the Best Head of State Award at the Model ECOWAS Summit in Ghana and the Community Impact Leadership Award at the Fourth Nigeria Service Awards. Through her various initiatives, she continues to champion women’s rights, youth empowerment, and sustainable community development in Nigeria and beyond.