Dr. Anthony Jerry Agada

Former Minister of State for Education

Date of Birth: 11/11/1952
Place of Birth: Orokem, Benue State

Education: St Joseph’s Primary School, Orokam, 1959-65; St Francis Secondary School, Otukpo, 1971-74; Kaduna Polytechnic and National Technical Teachers’ College, Lagos; University of Exeter, United Kingdom, 1979-81; Master of Commerce, Strathclyde University, Scotland, 1984; PhD, Staton University, United States, 2004.

Career: Teacher, Business Education, Government College, Keffi, 1974-77; Teacher, Government College, Makurdi, 1977-79; Youth Service, Army Day Secondary School, Abakpa Enugu, 1984-85; Head of the Department of Business Studies, Government College Makurdi, 1985-87; Vice-Principal, Government College Makurdi, 1987-88; Substantive College Principal, 1988, promoted to Principal (Special Grade), 1991-92; Guidance Counselor, Teaching Service Board, 1993; Principal (Special Grade), Government College Utonkon, 1993-96; Executive Secretary, Benue State Examinations Board, 1996-99; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, 1999-00; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, 2000-01; Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, 2001-06; Permanent Secretary (Political), Cabinet Office, February-September 2006; Minister of State for Education, 2007-08; President, Association of Nigerian Authors, to date

Commentary: Agada was one of a group of ministers sacked by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in November 2008. As Minster of State for Education, Agada, along with Minister of Education Igwe Aja-Nwachuku, angered the President by not reacting swiftly enough to a strike by the Nigerian Union of Teachers in early 2008. Agada was also in trouble for his involvement in a house purchase scandal.