O. Igho Natufe
Background
O. Igho Natufe was born on March 20, 1944, in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria. He grew up in a culturally diverse environment, shaped by his father’s service in the British Colonial Army during the Second World War and later in the Criminal Investigation Division of the Nigeria Police Force. His early years were spent in several Nigerian towns, including Sapele, Forcados, Warri, Ughelli, and Lagos. These cross-cultural experiences fostered in him a deep appreciation for ethnic diversity, federalism, and governance—themes that would later define his academic and policy work.
He pursued higher education internationally, earning a Master’s degree from the Peoples’ Friendship University in Moscow in 1969 and a Ph.D. from McGill University in Montreal in 1975. His academic specialization includes International Relations, Russian/Soviet Foreign Policy, African Government and Politics, African History, and Federalism.
Dr. Natufe built a distinguished career spanning academia, public service, and policy consultancy. He taught Political Science and International Relations at universities in Canada, Ghana, and Nigeria, contributing to the development of future scholars and public policy professionals. He also served in senior advisory roles within the Government of Canada for over two decades, working on Federal-Provincial Relations, Aboriginal Self-Government, International Trade Policy, and Environmental Policy.
An accomplished author, he has published extensively on governance, ethnic relations, and international politics, including his notable book Soviet Policy in Africa: From Lenin to Brezhnev (2011).
Currently, he serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratepol Consultants Inc., based in Ottawa, Canada, where he provides expertise in international policy, African development, ethnic relations, conflict resolution, corporate social responsibility, and capacity building. Throughout his career, Dr. Natufe has remained actively engaged in community leadership, ethnic advocacy, and international policy dialogue.
O. Igho Natufe
Nationality. : Canadian
Position. : President & (CEO)
Education : Peoples’ Friendship University, Moscow — Master of Arts (M.A.), 1969
-
McGill University, Montreal, Canada — Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), 1975
Company : Stratepol Consultants Inc
Service : Consulting
Founder. : O Igho Natufe
Website : www.aura.co.th
Books : Soviet Policy in Africa: From Lenin to Brezhnev (2011)
Early Life
O. Igho Natufe was born on March 20, 1944, in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria. He was raised in a family shaped by discipline, public service, and resilience. His father served in the British Colonial Army in Burma during the Second World War (1940–1945) before joining the Nigeria Police Force, where he worked in the Criminal Investigation Division until his passing in 1968. His mother was a trader, contributing to the family’s stability and entrepreneurial spirit.
Growing up, Igho experienced life in several Nigerian towns, including Sapele, Forcados, Warri, Ughelli, and Lagos, due to his father’s police postings. These formative years exposed him to Nigeria’s rich ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity. Living among different communities gave him an early understanding of inter-ethnic relations, social cohesion, and the complexities of governance in a plural society.
He grew up in a large family with six sisters and one brother, an environment that reinforced values of responsibility, cooperation, and leadership from an early age. The combination of cross-cultural exposure, family discipline, and social awareness played a defining role in shaping his later intellectual interests in federalism, ethnic relations, governance, and international politics.
Professional Life
Dr. O. Igho Natufe has cultivated a distinguished and multidimensional professional career spanning academia, public service, strategic policy analysis, and international consultancy. His work reflects sustained engagement with governance systems, international relations, and institutional development across Africa, Europe, and North America.
His academic career commenced in Canada, where he served as Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations at Loyola College in Montreal (1971–1973), now incorporated into Concordia University. In this capacity, he contributed to undergraduate instruction and curriculum development during a formative period in comparative political studies.
He subsequently held academic appointments at the University of Ibadan (Nigeria), the University of Ghana, Legon (Ghana), and the University of Benin (Nigeria). Notably, he served as the Founding Lecturer of the Department of Political Science at Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University), Ekpoma, Nigeria (1982–1984), where he played an instrumental role in establishing institutional structures, academic standards, and program development for the department.
Throughout his academic tenure, Dr. Natufe delivered courses in African History, Russian History, International Politics, Foreign Policy Analysis, Comparative Communist Systems, African Government and Politics, and Federalism. His teaching extended beyond classroom instruction; he mentored and guided a generation of scholars, diplomats, civil servants, and public policy practitioners who later assumed leadership roles in their respective fields. His scholarship and pedagogy consistently emphasized analytical rigor, comparative frameworks, and institutional accountability.
Parallel to his academic engagements, Dr. Natufe held senior advisory positions within the Government of Canada over several decades. From 1970 to 1978, he served as the first Soviet Circumpolar Policy Analyst in the Circumpolar Division of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. In this pioneering role, he provided strategic assessments concerning Arctic geopolitics, Soviet policy orientations, and their implications for Canadian northern and circumpolar interests.
He later served as Policy Advisor in the Department of the Environment (1989–1990), followed by a long tenure as Senior Policy Adviser in the Department of Natural Resources (1990–March 2011). His responsibilities encompassed Federal-Provincial Relations, Indigenous (Aboriginal) Self-Government negotiations, International Trade Policy, and Environmental Governance. These assignments required coordination across multiple governmental levels and engagement with diverse stakeholders, reflecting the complexity of Canada’s federal system. His contributions supported policy coherence, intergovernmental collaboration, and strategic planning within national frameworks.
In addition to his policy advisory roles, Dr. Natufe demonstrated leadership in advancing equity and institutional inclusion within the federal public service. He served as President of the National Council of Visible Minorities in the Federal Public Service (2007–2010), where he provided strategic direction in strengthening employment equity, diversity frameworks, and human rights compliance across departments. Earlier, as Founding Chair of the Visible Minority Advisory Council at the Department of Natural Resources (2000–2002), he helped position the department as a leading advocate for employment equity within the federal system.
Internationally, Dr. Natufe continued his scholarly engagement as Professor of International Relations at the Institute of African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, and as Executive Director of the Centre for Ukraine-African Studies at the Institute of World History, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv. These appointments reflected his enduring relevance in the study of Soviet and Russian foreign policy, African international relations, and geopolitical transformation in the post-Cold War era.
His academic publications include numerous peer-reviewed articles and the books Soviet Policy in Africa: From Lenin to Brezhnev (2011) and Russian Foreign Policy in Search of Influence (2015), both regarded as substantive contributions to the scholarly analysis of Russian and Soviet external relations.
Currently, Dr. Natufe serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratepol Consultants Inc., headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Through this consultancy, he provides strategic advisory services to public and private institutions in the areas of international trade, corporate social responsibility, governance reform, electoral systems, institutional capacity building, and conflict resolution. His consultancy work reflects the synthesis of decades of academic scholarship and governmental policy experience, grounded in a commitment to structured governance, institutional accountability, and sustainable development.
Education
O. Igho Natufe’s educational journey reflects a distinguished international academic foundation that profoundly shaped his intellectual orientation and lifelong engagement with international relations, governance, and public policy. His training across two major geopolitical and academic traditions—Soviet and Western—provided him with a rare comparative perspective that would later define both his scholarship and his policy career.
Dr. Natufe pursued his graduate studies at the Peoples’ Friendship University in Moscow, where he earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in 1969. Studying in the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War immersed him directly in the ideological, institutional, and strategic environment of a superpower deeply engaged in global geopolitical competition. His academic program emphasized international relations, comparative political systems, Marxist political theory, and Soviet foreign policy.
This period of study exposed him to the inner workings of Soviet political institutions, the structure of centralized governance, and the global outreach strategies of the USSR, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It also provided him with direct interaction with students and scholars from developing nations, reinforcing his understanding of post-colonial state formation and the role of ideology in international alignment. The Moscow experience became foundational to his later specialization in Soviet and Russian foreign policy and informed his subsequent scholarly publications on Soviet engagement in Africa.
Following his studies in Moscow, Dr. Natufe continued his academic advancement in Canada at McGill University in Montreal, where he completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in 1975. At McGill, one of Canada’s leading research-intensive institutions, he undertook advanced research in political science and international affairs within a Western liberal academic framework. His doctoral work deepened his engagement with comparative politics, African governance systems, federalism, international political theory, and intergovernmental relations.
The academic environment at McGill emphasized methodological rigor, critical inquiry, and interdisciplinary analysis. This training refined his research design, analytical reasoning, and policy evaluation skills. It also broadened his intellectual framework to include democratic governance models, constitutional federalism, pluralism, and international diplomacy. The combination of theoretical grounding and empirical research equipped him to bridge scholarly analysis with practical policy application.
Throughout his academic formation, Dr. Natufe developed specialized competence in the following core fields:
-
International Relations
-
Russian/Soviet Foreign Policy
-
African Government and Politics
-
African History
-
Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
His education in two contrasting ideological and institutional settings—Soviet socialist and Western democratic—enabled him to examine global affairs through a balanced comparative lens. This dual exposure strengthened his ability to analyze governance structures, geopolitical strategy, and state-society relations from multiple perspectives.
Dr. Natufe’s academic training laid the intellectual foundation for his subsequent teaching career across several countries, his scholarly publications, and his long tenure as a policy analyst and senior adviser within the Government of Canada. It positioned him as a scholar capable of integrating theory with practice and comparative analysis with institutional application, particularly in the fields of international politics, federal systems, and governance reform.
Journey
The journey of Dr. O. Igho Natufe is defined by intellectual rigor, global engagement, and sustained public service spanning Africa, Europe, and North America. Born and raised in Nigeria within a culturally diverse and disciplined environment, his early exposure to multi-ethnic communities shaped his enduring interest in governance, federalism, identity, and statecraft. These formative experiences laid the foundation for a career devoted to understanding how plural societies can build stable institutions and equitable systems.
His academic formation in Moscow and Montreal placed him at the intersection of two major intellectual traditions during the Cold War era. Studying in the Soviet Union provided firsthand insight into socialist political systems and Soviet foreign policy, while doctoral training in Canada deepened his comparative understanding of Western democratic institutions, federal structures, and international relations theory. This rare dual exposure enabled him to approach global politics with a uniquely balanced and analytical perspective.
Dr. Natufe’s professional life bridges scholarship and statecraft. As a lecturer and professor in Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, Russia, and Ukraine, he taught courses in African history, Russian history, international politics, foreign policy, comparative political systems, and federalism. Beyond teaching, he mentored generations of students, many of whom advanced into academia, diplomacy, and public administration. His role in founding and strengthening academic departments further underscores his institutional impact.
Parallel to his academic career, Dr. Natufe served for decades within the Government of Canada, holding senior advisory roles on some of the country’s most complex policy files. His work included Federal-Provincial Relations, Indigenous self-government, international trade policy, and environmental governance. These assignments required strategic policy coordination within a federal framework and engagement with diverse stakeholders across governmental and Indigenous institutions. His leadership as President of the National Council of Visible Minorities in the Federal Public Service reflected his commitment to employment equity, inclusion, and human rights within public institutions.
As a scholar, Dr. Natufe has contributed significantly to the study of Soviet and Russian foreign policy, African governance, and international relations. His books and numerous scholarly publications continue to serve as reference points in academic discourse, particularly in understanding the historical evolution of global power relations and the strategic engagement of major powers in Africa.
Currently, as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratepol Consultants Inc., based in Ottawa, Canada, he applies decades of academic scholarship and governmental experience to advisory services in international trade, corporate social responsibility, governance reform, electoral systems, and institutional capacity building. His consultancy reflects a practical continuation of his lifelong focus on structured governance and policy systems.
Dr. Natufe has also joined the Africa Project of Aura Solution Company Limited, where he provides strategic advisory expertise. In this capacity, he contributes to initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional frameworks, improving governance systems, promoting federal principles where applicable, and supporting sustainable development strategies across African nations. His involvement reflects his longstanding commitment to systemic reform and structured national development.
Overall, Dr. Natufe’s journey represents a rare integration of academic scholarship, governmental policy leadership, international advisory engagement, and community advocacy. His life’s work demonstrates a consistent dedication to institutional development, comparative governance, inclusive policy frameworks, and constructive global engagement.
Public Disputes
-
Dr. O. Igho Natufe has, in his capacity as President General of the Okpe Union (Worldwide), been involved in public discussions and legal proceedings relating to internal leadership and governance matters within the organization. A dispute concerning the recognition of the Union’s Board of Trustees and leadership structure was brought before the Federal High Court in Nigeria. Following judicial review, the Court affirmed the legitimacy of the elected leadership under Dr. Natufe, thereby resolving the matter within the framework of Nigerian law and organizational governance.
-
Reference:
Federal High Court ruling on Okpe Union leadership dispute —
https://www.naijnewsalert.com.ng/2024/05/okpe-union-bot-abuja-court-vacates.html -
In addition, Dr. Natufe’s long-standing advocacy for the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality within Delta State, Nigeria, has generated public debate among segments of the broader community. These discussions reflect differing historical interpretations and perspectives on ethnic identity and representation. Such exchanges form part of wider socio-cultural discourse and civic engagement within Nigeria’s plural society.
-
Reference:
Public commentary regarding Okpe identity discussions —
https://empirenewspaper.com.ng/2025/08/01/okpe-union-slams-prof-natufe-says-okpe-is-urhobo/ -
A review of publicly available records indicates no criminal charges, fraud allegations, regulatory sanctions, or personal legal judgments against Dr. Natufe. The matters referenced above relate to organizational governance issues and public socio-cultural discourse rather than personal misconduct.
References / Further Reading
-
Natufe, O. Igho – Soviet Policy in Africa: From Lenin to Brezhnev
A comprehensive scholarly book by Dr. Natufe that analyzes Soviet foreign policy from 1917 to 1980 with specific emphasis on Africa, ideology, superpower rivalry, and case studies of Soviet engagement.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soviet-policy-in-africa-o-igho-natufe/1107099441 -
Soviet Policy in Africa: From Lenin to Brezhnev – Publisher Information (Apple Books)
Additional publication details about the book, including publisher, release date, and length.
https://books.apple.com/us/book/soviet-policy-in-africa/id486335008 -
Academic Interview: International Studies in Africa. Interview with Prof. O. Igho Natufe, Nigeria
An interview published in Vestnik RUDN. International Relations, where Dr. Natufe discusses his research, Soviet/Russian foreign policy, and Africa’s international relations.
https://journals.rudn.ru/international-relations/article/view/14282 -
Interview Summary (DOAJ)
A secondary reference listing of the above interview, confirming Dr. Natufe’s academic profile and research focus.
https://doaj.org/article/df815b4fdef7413587f6f2809125176d -
Review of Natufe’s Book – Russian Foreign Policy: In Search of Lost Influence
A scholarly review of Dr. Natufe’s monograph on Russian foreign policy published in Vestnik RUDN. International Relations (Vol. 16, No. 2, 2016).
https://journals.rudn.ru/international-relations/article/view/14285/en_US -
PDF Review of Russian Foreign Policy: In Search of Lost Influence
The downloadable PDF of the academic review confirming the work’s methodological rigor and Dr. Natufe’s expertise in Soviet/Russian foreign policy.
https://journals.rudn.ru/international-relations/article/download/14285/13454/en_US