{{Short description|Nigerian politician (born 1979)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | image = Natasha Akpoti.jpg | image_size = 220px | caption = Official portrait, 2023 | office = Senator for Kogi Central | term_start = November 2023 | term_end = | predecessor = Abubakar Sadiku Ohere | successor = | constituency = Kogi Central | other_party = Social Democratic Party | spouse = | partner = <!--For those with a domestic partner and not married--> | children = | parents = <!-- overrides mother and father parameters --> | education = | known_for = Revival of Ajaokuta Steel Mill | awards = | birth_name = Natasha Hadiza Akpoti | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|12|9|df=y}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | alma_mater = {{plainlist| University of Abuja University of Dundee }} | occupation = Barrister, politician | years active = | party = People Democratic Party | website = {{URL|natashaakpoti.com/}} }}
'''Natasha Hadiza Akpoti''' (born 9 December 1979) is a Nigerian politician and lawyer who serves as a member of the 10th Nigeria National Assembly representing Kogi Central Senatorial District since 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kalu |first=Chioma |date=2025-03-19 |title=Kogi Central Constituents Commence Senator Natasha Akpoti's Recall Process |url=https://www.arise.tv/kogi-central-constituents-commence-senator-natasha-akpotis-recall-process/ |access-date=2026-04-11 |language=en-US}}</ref> A member of the People's Democratic Party, she is the first elected female senator in Kogi State.<ref name=Tribune>{{Cite news | last=Arogbonlo | first=Israel | title=SPOTLIGHT: Natasha Akpoti, Kogi's first elected female senator |newspaper=Nigerian Tribune| date=2 November 2023 | url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/spotlight-natasha-akpoti-kogis-first-elected-female-senator/ | access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref>
Born to a Nigerian father and Ukrainian mother, Akpoti was educated at the University of Abuja.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=2025-03-06 |title=Biography of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan |url=https://www.timeexpressnigeria.com/2025/03/biography-of-senator-natasha-akpoti-uduaghan/ |access-date=2026-04-11 |language=en-US}}</ref> Before joining politics and campaigning for senate during the 2019 Kogi State gubernatorial election under the Social Democratic Party,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Agbana |first1=Ralph Omolu |title=Aftermath of court victory, SDP candidate, Natasha Akpoti pushes poll postponement |url=https://m.guardian.ng/politics/aftermath-of-court-victory-sdp-candidate-natasha-akpoti-pushes-poll-postponement/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=29 December 2019 |newspaper=The Guardian|date=10 November 2019}}</ref> she founded the Builders Hub Impact Investment Program (BHIIP).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ajumobi |first=Kemi |date=2020-04-03 |title=Women in Business: Natasha Akpoti |url=https://businessday.ng/interview/women-in-business/article/women-in-business-natasha-akpoti/ |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}}</ref> Akpoti was awarded the by Jewel Taylor, the former vice president of Liberia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=womenvoicesnewspaper |date=2024-10-07 |title=Celebrating Leadership and Commitment: Jewel Howard Taylor's Inspiring Recognition |url=https://www.womenvoicesnewspaper.org/celebrating-leadership-and-commitment-jewel-howard-taylors-inspiring-recognition/ |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=Women Voices Newspaper |language=en-US}}</ref> Following her activism for the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Mill, she received the presidential award from the Nigerian Society of Engineers in December 2017.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2018-09-26 |title=Natasha in the Eyes of the Storm – Natasha Akpoti |url=https://www.natashaakpoti.com/natasha-in-the-eyes-of-the-storm/ |access-date=2026-04-11 |language=en}}</ref> She was elected a senator under the People's Democratic Party in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oyero |first=Kayode |date=2023-11-02 |title=Senate Swears In Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan As Kogi Central Senator |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2023/11/02/breaking-senate-swears-in-natasha-as-kogi-central-senator/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Channels Television |language=en}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Natasha Hadiza Akpoti was born in Ilorin, Kwara state,<ref name="Tribune" /> on December 9, 1979, The second child of Jimoh Abdul Akpoti a Nigerian politician from Kogi State and Ludmila Kravchenk Rakitna, originally from Chernivtsi, Ukraine.<ref name=":0" /> Her parents first met in the Soviet Union, where Jimoh was a medical student at Bogomolets National Medical University. She grew up in Ihima, Okehi.<ref name="TDL">{{cite news |date=9 March 2019 |title=Natasha Akpoti: I Learnt Community Building, Service to Humanity from My Father |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/03/09/natasha-akpoti-i-learnt-community-building-service-to-humanity-from-my-father/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230192734/https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/03/09/natasha-akpoti-i-learnt-community-building-service-to-humanity-from-my-father/ |archive-date=30 December 2019 |access-date=30 December 2019 |newspaper=This Day}}</ref>
Akpoti attended her primary education at Christ the King School, Okene, Kogi State. And a brief secondary education at Government Girls Unity Secondary School in Oboroke, Kogi. She continued at Federal Government College, Idoani in Ondo state, where she graduated in 1997. Akpoti and her family relocated to Abuja, after her father's death on 3 November 1998.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |last1=Ujah |first1=Emma |date=25 July 2018 |title=2019: Ajaokuta Steel campaigner, Natasha Akpoti, joins senate race |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/07/2019-ajaokuta-steel-campaigner-joins-senate-race/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702005122/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/07/2019-ajaokuta-steel-campaigner-joins-senate-race/ |archive-date=2 July 2019 |access-date=29 December 2019 |agency=Vanguard|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref> She later got admitted into the University of Abuja, where she obtained her bachelor's degree in law from 2000 to 2004. At 19, she got married and had a son, Daniel.
After her graduation from the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, Abuja, Akpoti was called to the Nigerian Bar by the Nigerian Body of Benchers on the 8 November 2005.<ref name=Tribune/> She started studying at the University of Dundee for her Master of Laws degree, which she obtained in 2011 as well as her MBA in Oil and Gas Management in 2012.<ref name="auto2">{{cite news |date=9 March 2019 |title=Natasha Akpoti: I Learnt Community Building, Service to Humanity from My Father |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/03/09/natasha-akpoti-i-learnt-community-building-service-to-humanity-from-my-father/ |access-date=30 December 2019 |newspaper=This Day}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Oloniniran |first=Gbenga |date=5 March 2022 |title=Royal Wedding: Natasha Akpoti ties knot with Alema of Warri Kingdom |url=https://www.punchng.com/royal-wedding-natasha-akpoti-ties-knot-with-alema-of-warri-kingdom/ |access-date=23 March 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326125513/https://punchng.com/royal-wedding-natasha-akpoti-ties-knot-with-alema-of-warri-kingdom/ |url-status=live |newspaper=The Punch}}</ref>
==Career== '''Early career (2007–2018)'''
Akpoti worked as a legal counsel at Brass LNG from 2007 to 2010. In 2015, she established Builders Hub Impact Investment Program and further embarked on a journey to become a social entrepreneur and reformer.<ref name="auto1" /><ref name="Natasha Akpoti – Hope Reborn">{{Cite web |title=Natasha Akpoti – Hope Reborn |url=https://www.natashaakpoti.com/ |access-date=2026-03-30 |language=en}}</ref> Akpoti applied for INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship program in Singapore where she acquired applicable knowledge on smart innovative sustainable solutions for tackling neglected problems at all levels of the society in 2016.<ref name="Natasha Akpoti – Hope Reborn"/> She came to limelight when she presented an investigative report to the National Assembly on 1 March 2018 that exposed corruption at the Ajaokuta steel mill.<ref>{{cite news |title=SPECIAL REPORT: Ajaokuta Steel Company, Natasha Akpoti, House Of Reps And The Acquisition Plot |url=http://saharareporters.com/2018/03/26/special-report-ajaokuta-steel-company-natasha-akpoti-house-reps-and-acquisition-plot/ |location=New York City, United States|access-date=16 November 2019 |date=26 March 2018 |archive-date=17 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117081838/http://saharareporters.com/2018/03/26/special-report-ajaokuta-steel-company-natasha-akpoti-house-reps-and-acquisition-plot |url-status=live |newspaper=Sahara Reporters}}</ref> The report was opposed by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, accusing Akpoti of misinformation. Another group alleges that she is sponsoring a campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Adoyi |first1=Ali |title=Group clashes with Natasha Akpoti over alleged sponsored campaign on Ajaokuta Steel Company |url=https://dailypost.ng/2017/02/03/group-clashes-natasha-akpoti-alleged-sponsored-campaign-ajaokuta-steel-company/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=16 November 2019 |newspaper=Daily Post|date=3 February 2017 |archive-date=17 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117081815/https://dailypost.ng/2017/02/03/group-clashes-natasha-akpoti-alleged-sponsored-campaign-ajaokuta-steel-company/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After a legal hearing by the High Court sitting in Abuja, ''The Authority Newspaper'', Ifeanyi Ubah and Williams Orji were ordered to pay 10 million naira to Akpoti for libelous publication against her.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 April 2022 |title=Top 5 influential female politicians in Nigeria you may not know |url=https://newswirengr.com/2022/04/07/top-5-influential-female-politicians-in-nigeria-you-may-not-know/ |access-date=21 February 2023 |website=NewsWireNGR|language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Nigerian Senator (2023–present)'''
Akpoti first contested as a Senator to represent Kogi Central senatorial district in the National Assembly under PDP. She lost the election to candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Abubakar Sadiku Ohere.<ref>{{Cite news | last=Ajayi | first=Faith | title=Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan beyond politics |newspaper=The Punch| date=19 August 2023 | url=https://punchng.com/natasha-akpoti-uduaghan-beyond-politics/ | access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref>
She was declared winner by The Court of Appeal in Abuja hearing 2023 Kogi Central Senatorial election dispute.<ref>{{Cite news | last=Olufemi | first=Damilola | title=Breaking Appeal Court declares Natasha winner Kogi Central Senatorial election |newspaper=The Punch| date=31 October 2023 | url=https://punchng.com/breaking-appeal-court-declares-natasha-winner-kogi-central-senatorial-election/ | access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref>
==Legal issues== In February 2025, Akpoti alleged on ''Arise TV'' that Godswill Akpabio, the Senate president sexually harassed her on 8 December 2023.<ref name="premiumtimesng.com">{{Cite news |title=Again, Akpabio denies sexual harassment allegations, says Senate traumatised by Apoti-Uduagan's action |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/779487-again-akpabio-denies-sexual-harassment-allegations-says-senate-traumatised-by-apoti-uduagans-action.html |access-date=2025-03-10 |newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref> The sexual harassment case escalated on 20 February 2025 after she confronted Akpabio for relocating her seat in the chamber through removing her name-plate,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Omokri shares video of Natasha accusing him of harassment amid Senate controversy |url=https://guardian.ng/news/omokri-shares-video-of-natasha-accusing-him-of-harassment-amid-senate-controversy/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-03-10 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> and Akpabio has denied the allegations.<ref name="premiumtimesng.com"/>
Akpoti's petition on Akpabio's sexual harassment was summarily dismissed without investigation on the basis of a technicality, i.e. that she had "signed it herself".<ref name="Akintade">{{Cite news |last=Akintade |first=Adefemola |date=2025-03-06 |title=Sexual Harassment Allegation: Senate committee recommends six-month suspension for Natasha Akpoti |url=https://gazettengr.com/sexual-harassment-allegation-senate-committee-recommends-six-month-suspension-for-natasha-akpoti/ |location=Abuja, Nigeria|access-date=2025-03-10 |newspaper=Peoples Gazette|language=en-US}}</ref> The head of the Senate's Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Senator Imasuen described it as "dead on arrival".
On 6 March 2025, following the report from the Senate's Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Akpoti was suspended from the Nigerian Senate for six months for misconduct. The suspension cites her violation of Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the 2023 Standing Orders of the Nigerian Senate, and includes lack of access to her office, salary, and security.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sulaimon |first=Adekunle |date=2025-03-08 |title=Natasha suspended for misconduct, not sexual assault allegation — Senate leader |url=https://punchng.com/natasha-suspended-for-misconduct-not-sexual-assault-allegation-senate-leader/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Akintade"/> In addition the Committee advised her to apologise to the Senate President for the sexual harassment allegations, a suggestion which was put to the vote a number of times in the Senate. Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele also clarified that the suspension was due to Akpoti's "persistent acts of misconduct" including; refusing to sit in her assigned seat; speaking without recognition; engaging in disruptive behavior; and making abusive remarks against the leadership of the Senate.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Akpabio: Natasha not suspended for sexual harassment allegation — Senate |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/akpabio-c-not-suspended-for-sexual-harassment-allegation-senate/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-03-10 |newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref>
In a follow-up, Akpabio's legal team led by former Nigerian Bar Association President Olisa Agbakoba demanded a retraction of the allegation, describing it as "clearly false and unsubstantiated". Agbakoba cited contradictions in Akpoti-Uduaghan's timeline—particularly her public praise of Akpabio on social media a day after the alleged incident—and noted that the referenced post was later deleted, which he argued further undermined her credibility.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Atungwu |first=Matthew |date=2025-04-30 |title=Retract sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio - Olisa Agbakoba tells Natasha |url=https://dailypost.ng/2025/04/30/retract-sexual-harassment-allegation-against-akpabio-olisa-agbakoba-tells-natasha/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-05-01 |newspaper=Daily Post|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-30 |title=Sexual harassment: Agbakoba demands retraction by Natasha |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/sexual-harassment-agbakoba-demands-retraction-by-natasha/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-05-01 |newspaper=The Nation|language=en-US}}</ref>
Akpoti further presented her case in a United Nations forum, during the Women in Parliament session in New York. In her statement she outlined her allegations and the fact of her subsequent suspension, insisted that she would not apologise for her allegations, and sought international intervention to hold to account the Nigerian Senate.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-11 |title=Natasha takes face-off with Senate to UN |url=https://punchng.com/natasha-takes-face-off-with-senate-to-un/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ogundapo |first=Abdulqudus |date=2025-03-11 |title=UPDATED: Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan reports suspension, sexual harassment to global parliamentary body |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/780097-updated-natasha-akpoti-uduaghan-reports-suspension-sexual-harassment-to-global-parliamentary-body-2.html |access-date=2025-04-02 |newspaper=Premium Times|language=en}}</ref>
Following Akpoti's suspension, many civil groups and individuals including the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organizations have called for a transparent investigation of the matter.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nwafor |date=2025-03-06 |title=Natasha vs Akpabio: CSOs call for transparency in senate investigation |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/natasha-vs-akpabio-csos-call-for-transparency-in-senate-investigation/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-03-10 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-GB}}</ref> Atedo Peterside, founder of Stanbic IBTC also condemned the suspension, describing it as "disturbing and disrespectful to her constituents".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ajia |first=Jide |date=2025-03-10 |title=Natasha's suspension disrespectful to constituents, ultra vires - Atedo Peterside |url=https://punchng.com/natashas-suspension-disrespectful-to-constituents-ultra-vires-atedo-peterside/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref>
On April 18, 2025, Akpoti reported that armed men had attacked her family home in Obeiba-Ihima, Kogi State. In a statement released by her media team in Abuja, the senator stated that the assailants raided and vandalized the residence, which originally belonged to her grandfather. The attack, which occurred on April 16, was reportedly repelled by security forces, preventing further damage or casualties.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Folorunsho-Francis |first=Adebayo |date=2025-04-17 |title=Gunmen invade Natasha's family house in Kogi |url=https://punchng.com/gunmen-invade-natashas-family-house-in-kogi/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref>
On 4 July 2025, a court in Abuja ordered the lifting of Akpoti's suspension, saying that it was excessive. It also convicted Akpoti for contempt and fined her five million naira ($3,250) for violating a gag order on her suspension case.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Court strikes suspension for Nigerian senator who complained of sexism |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250704-court-strikes-suspension-for-nigerian-senator-who-complained-of-sexism |access-date=4 July 2025 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> Despite this, Akpoti was barred from entering the National Assembly building on 22 July.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nigerian senator barred from parliament accuses Senate leadership of contempt of court |url=https://www.africanews.com/2025/07/23/nigerian-senator-barred-from-parliament-accuses-senate-leadership-of-contempt-of-court/ |access-date=23 July 2025 |website=Africanews |language=en}}</ref>
==Awards and honours== Akpoti was awarded the "Politician of the Year" in the 2023 Leadership Excellence Awards, an award run by Nigerian media newspaper, ''Leadership''. She was called "a proven amazon in political circles".<ref>{{Cite news | last=Jeremiah | first=Urowayino | title=Senator Natasha named 2023 Politician of the Year |newspaper=Vanguard| date=11 December 2023 | url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/12/senator-natasha-named-2023-politician-of-the-year/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria| access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref> In 2024, along Boma Goodhead, she was shortlisted for the African Iconic Women Recognition Awards (AIWRA).<ref>{{Cite news | last=Daramola | first=Ayomikunle | title=Natasha Akpoti, Boma Goodhead shortlisted for African Iconic Women Recognition Awards |newspaper=TheCable| date=5 May 2024|url=https://www.thecable.ng/natasha-akpoti-boma-goodhead-shortlisted-for-african-iconic-women-recognition-awards/ | access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref> She won the ''This Day'' Senator of the Year award in 2025.<ref>{{Cite news | last=Jimoh | first=Yekini | title=Senator Natasha bags Senator of the Year award |newspaper=Nigerian Tribune| date=28 January 2025 | url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/senator-natasha-bags-senator-of-the-year-award/ | access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | last=Jeremiah | first=Urowayino | title=Senator Natasha bags People of the Year award |newspaper=Vanguard| date=17 December 2023 | url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/12/senator-natasha-bags-people-of-the-year-award/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria| access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref>
== Personal life == On 5 March 2022, she married Emmanuel Uduaghan in a marriage ceremony at Ihima,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oloniniran |first=Gbenga |date=5 March 2022 |title=Royal Wedding: Natasha Akpoti ties knot with Alema of Warri Kingdom |url=https://www.punchng.com/royal-wedding-natasha-akpoti-ties-knot-with-alema-of-warri-kingdom/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326125513/https://punchng.com/royal-wedding-natasha-akpoti-ties-knot-with-alema-of-warri-kingdom/ |archive-date=26 March 2022 |access-date=23 March 2022 |newspaper=The Punch}}</ref> and has three children.<ref name="auto2"/>
== Activism == Akpoti champions women’s equality and believes that women’s stories must be digitally included, as the future of women’s empowerment lies in bridging gaps by documenting their stories.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samson |first=Elijah |date=April 10, 2026 |title=Natasha Champions Digital Inclusion For Women |url=https://leadership.ng/natasha-champions-digital-inclusion-for-women/ |access-date=April 14, 2026 |website=leadership.ng}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-xl/africa/nigeria/why-nigerian-women-s-stories-need-visibility-to-drive-senator-natasha/ar-AA20DO7G?ocid=BingNewsVerp |access-date=2026-04-14 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref> She has also been involved in rallying youths to engage in active civic participation by revalidating their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Omolaoye |first=Sodiq |date=2026-04-05 |title=Easter: Natasha urges peace, rallies Kogi residents for PVC revalidation |url=https://guardian.ng/news/easter-natasha-urges-peace-rallies-kogi-residents-for-pvc-revalidation/ |access-date=2026-04-14 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2024, she called for greater women’s empowerment and echoed feminist voices that women deserve equal voice and rights.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leshi |first=James |date=October 3, 2024 |title=Senator Natasha calls for more women empowerment |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/gender/741736-senator-natasha-calls-for-more-women-empowerment.html?tztc=1 |access-date=2026-04-14 |website=www.premiumtimesng.com}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Akpoti, Natasha}} Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:People from Kogi State Category:21st-century Nigerian lawyers Category:21st-century Nigerian women politicians Category:21st-century Nigerian politicians Category:Social Democratic Party (Nigeria) politicians Category:Alumni of the University of Dundee Category:21st-century Nigerian women lawyers Category:Senators of the 10th National Assembly (Nigeria)