Patrick Okedinachi Utomi,
BA, MPA, MA, PhD, DBA
Born on 6 February 1956 in Kaduna, Nigeria, Patrick Okedinachi Utomi is one of Africa’s most distinguished political economists, public intellectuals, and thought leaders. Raised across Jos, Maiduguri, Kano, Gusau, Onitsha, Ibadan, and Lagos, his formative years were shaped by Nigeria’s cultural diversity and economic complexity. His life’s work reflects an uncommon ability to bridge scholarship, enterprise, governance, and civic engagement.
A noted Political Economist and Professor of Entrepreneurship, Patrick Utomi served as Director of the Centre for Applied Economics at Lagos Business School, where he pioneered the teaching of entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Widely respected for his ability to connect theory with practice, he has consistently addressed the “knowing–doing gap” in leadership, policy, and enterprise development.
His academic work engages policy economics, political economy, public management, finance, and business strategy, with a focus on emerging economies and institutional reform.
Pat Utomi began public service at 27 as a presidential adviser and went on to chair national parastatal boards, including the National Manpower Board.
Patrick Utomi has received extensive national and international recognition, including multiple lifetime achievement awards, academic honours, and civic commendations.
He has been named among Nigeria’s top ten Living Legends, recognised as one of the Ola Ndigbo global best 50, and honoured by Delta State as one of its most distinguished citizens. He is currently Chairman of PAFTRAC, the Pan-African Sector Trade and Investment Committee sponsored by the African Union and Afreximbank.
An active business angel, Patrick Utomi has played foundational roles in several iconic Nigerian enterprises. These include Linkserve, Nigeria’s first internet service provider; BusinessDay, the country’s first daily business newspaper; and Socketworks, a pioneer e-government firm responsible for Nigeria’s electronic passport system.
He has consistently demonstrated his belief that societies can innovate their way out of economic and social challenges, particularly through enterprise development, technology, and value-chain integration in agriculture, education, and media.