O. Igho Natufe
Background
Omajuwa Igho Natufe, better known as O. Igho Natufe, was born on March 20, 1944, in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria. He was raised in a culturally diverse environment, influenced by his father’s distinguished service in the British Colonial Army during the Second World War and later in the Criminal Investigation Division of the Nigeria Police Force.
During his formative years, he lived in several Nigerian towns, including Sapele, Forcados, Warri, Ughelli, and Lagos. These varied cultural and social experiences shaped his worldview and nurtured a lasting appreciation for ethnic diversity, federalism, and governance—principles that would later become central themes in his academic research and policy contributions.
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)
Russian Foreign Policy: In Search of Lost Influence (2015)
Early Life
O. Igho Natufe was born on March 20, 1944, in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria. He was raised in a family grounded in discipline, public service, and resilience. His father served in the British Colonial Army in Burma during the Second World War (1940–1945) and later joined the Nigeria Police Force, where he worked in the Criminal Investigation Division until his passing in 1968. His mother was a trader whose enterprise and dedication contributed significantly to the family’s stability.
During his childhood, Natufe lived in several Nigerian towns — including Sapele, Forcados, Warri, Ughelli, and Lagos — as a result of his father’s police postings.
These early experiences immersed him in Nigeria’s diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic landscape. Exposure to multiple communities fostered in him a deep appreciation for inter-ethnic relations, social cohesion, and the challenges of governance within a plural society.
He grew up in a large family with six sisters and one brother, an environment that nurtured responsibility, cooperation, and leadership from an early age. The combination of structured family upbringing, cross-cultural exposure, and early social awareness significantly influenced his later academic and professional focus on federalism, ethnic relations, governance systems, and international politics.
Professional Life
Dr. O. Igho Natufe has built a distinguished and multidimensional professional career spanning academia, public service, strategic policy analysis, international research, and consultancy. His work reflects sustained engagement with governance systems, Cold War geopolitics, federalism, institutional reform, and international relations across Africa, Europe, and North America.
Academic Career
Dr. Natufe’s academic career began in Canada, where he served as Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations at Loyola College, Montreal (1971–1973), now part of Concordia University. During this formative period in comparative political studies, he contributed to undergraduate instruction and curriculum development in international politics.
He subsequently held academic appointments at the University of Ibadan (Nigeria), the University of Ghana, Legon (1978–1980), and the University of Benin (1980–1989). He also served as Founding Lecturer of the Department of Political Science at Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University), Ekpoma (1982–1984), where he established foundational academic structures, program frameworks, and institutional standards.
Throughout his academic tenure, Dr. Natufe taught African History, Russian History, International Politics, Foreign Policy Analysis, Comparative Communist Systems, African Government and Politics, and Federalism. His scholarship emphasized analytical rigor, comparative governance models, geopolitical strategy, and institutional accountability. He mentored a generation of scholars, diplomats, civil servants, and policy professionals who later assumed leadership roles in public and academic institutions.
Internationally, he further served as Professor of International Relations at the Institute of African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow), and as Executive Director of the Centre for Ukraine–African Studies at the Institute of World History, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv). These appointments reinforced his expertise in Soviet and Russian foreign policy, Africa–Eurasia relations, and post-Cold War geopolitical transformation.
Government of Canada Service
Parallel to his academic work, Dr. Natufe held senior advisory roles within the Government of Canada for 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 on Arctic geopolitics, Soviet policy orientations, and their implications for Canadian northern and circumpolar interests during the Cold War.
He later served as Policy Advisor in the Department of the Environment (1989–1990) and subsequently as Senior Policy Adviser in the Department of Natural Resources (1990–March 2011). His portfolio included Federal–Provincial Relations, Indigenous Self-Government negotiations, International Trade Policy, Environmental Governance, and intergovernmental coordination. His work required complex negotiations across federal and provincial governments, Indigenous leadership institutions, and international partners.
In addition to policy advisory responsibilities, Dr. Natufe played a leadership role 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) and as Founding Chair of the Visible Minority Advisory Council at the Department of Natural Resources (2000–2002), strengthening employment equity frameworks and diversity compliance across departments.
Scholarship and Publications
Dr. Natufe has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and scholarly works on Cold War politics, Soviet–African relations, Russian foreign policy, governance systems, and federalism.
His major publications include:
-
Soviet Policy in Africa: From Lenin to Brezhnev (2011)
-
Russian Foreign Policy in Search of Influence (2015)
His earlier academic article, The Cold War and the Congo Crisis, 1960–1961 (1984), remains a notable contribution to Cold War historiography and African international relations scholarship.
Leadership and Socio-Political Engagement
Beyond academia and public service, Dr. Natufe serves as President General of the Okpe Union (Worldwide), one of Nigeria’s oldest socio-cultural organizations, founded in 1930. Under his leadership, the Union has emphasized ethnic identity recognition, educational empowerment, constitutional reform, federal restructuring, and good governance advocacy.
He has been a prominent voice in debates on Nigerian federalism, accountability, electoral reform, and institutional transparency, consistently advocating structured governance and citizen participation.
Consultancy
Dr. Natufe currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratepol Consultants Inc., headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. Through this consultancy, he provides strategic advisory services in international trade, governance reform, corporate social responsibility, electoral systems, institutional capacity building, conflict resolution, and strategic negotiations.
His consultancy work reflects the integration of decades of academic scholarship, geopolitical expertise, and governmental policy leadership, grounded in a commitment to institutional accountability, federalism, 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
Dr. O. Igho Natufe’s leadership trajectory reflects a rare combination of academic depth, policy execution, institutional reform, and cross-civilizational experience. His career is not only defined by scholarship but by direct engagement in complex governance systems, making him uniquely positioned to contribute meaningfully to large-scale development initiatives such as the Africa Project of Aura Solution Company Limited.
Leadership Within Government and Public Institutions
During his distinguished service in the Government of Canada, Dr. Natufe operated at senior advisory levels within one of the world’s most sophisticated federal systems. His work on Federal-Provincial Relations required navigating constitutional complexities, intergovernmental negotiations, and policy harmonization between multiple jurisdictions. Such experience is directly relevant to African states where federalism, decentralization, and inter-regional balance remain central governance challenges.
His involvement in Indigenous self-government policy further strengthened his expertise in negotiated autonomy frameworks, constitutional reform, and reconciliation-based governance models. These assignments demanded diplomacy, cultural sensitivity, legal literacy, and strategic coordination—qualities essential for advising multi-ethnic African nations seeking institutional stability.
As President of the National Council of Visible Minorities in the Federal Public Service, Dr. Natufe demonstrated inclusive leadership. He advocated for equitable representation, systemic reform, and institutional accountability. His leadership in this capacity reflects not only administrative competence but moral authority—an important attribute for continental development initiatives focused on fairness, participation, and long-term legitimacy.
Soviet and Cold War Strategic Insight
Dr. Natufe’s academic formation in Moscow during the Cold War era gave him direct exposure to Soviet political structures, state planning systems, and foreign policy doctrines. Unlike many scholars who study Soviet governance externally, he experienced its institutional logic from within. This background provides him with deep insight into centralized planning, strategic statecraft, geopolitical competition, and ideological diplomacy.
His scholarship on Soviet and Russian foreign policy, particularly regarding Africa, positions him as an authority on major power engagement in the continent. He understands both Western liberal democratic frameworks and state-centric strategic models shaped by the Soviet tradition. This dual perspective is especially valuable today, as Africa engages simultaneously with Western institutions, Russia, China, and emerging global actors.
For the Africa Project, which operates within a multipolar global environment, such geopolitical literacy is critical. Dr. Natufe’s ability to interpret global power strategies, assess international trade dynamics, and anticipate diplomatic alignments strengthens the project’s strategic positioning.
Academic Institution Builder and Mentor
Across Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, Russia, and Ukraine, Dr. Natufe has not merely lectured—he has contributed to the development of academic programs and intellectual frameworks. His teaching portfolio spans African history, Russian history, international politics, comparative political systems, and federalism. Through mentoring students who progressed into diplomacy, public administration, and academia, he has influenced leadership pipelines across continents.Institution-building at the academic level parallels institution-building at the national level. His understanding of how systems are designed, structured, evaluated, and reformed translates naturally into advisory roles involving governance architecture and policy frameworks.
Multilingual and Cross-Cultural Competence
Dr. Natufe’s life journey spans Nigeria, Russia, Canada, Ghana, and Eastern Europe. This exposure has equipped him with multilingual capability and deep cross-cultural fluency. Beyond language proficiency, he understands cultural negotiation norms, bureaucratic traditions, and societal expectations across different political systems.
Africa’s development environment requires precisely this form of cultural alignment—an ability to mediate between local traditions, international investors, multilateral institutions, and geopolitical stakeholders. His lived experience within African, Soviet/Russian, and Western institutional contexts allows him to bridge divergent policy cultures with credibility and clarity.
Strategic Fit for the Africa Project of Aura
The Africa Project demands leadership that combines:
-
Understanding of federal and decentralized governance systems
-
Knowledge of global geopolitical strategy
-
Experience within advanced governmental institutions
-
Commitment to inclusive policy and human capital development
-
Cross-cultural diplomatic competence
Dr. Natufe embodies this integration.
His scholarship provides intellectual grounding. His governmental career offers practical policy experience. His Cold War education supplies geopolitical perspective. His multicultural and multilingual background enhances diplomatic adaptability. And his consistent focus on institutional reform aligns directly with the objectives of strengthening governance systems across African nations.
In essence, Dr. O. Igho Natufe represents a synthesis of scholar, strategist, policy practitioner, and institutional reform advocate. His leadership is not theoretical—it is informed by decades of navigating complex political systems at both national and international levels.For a continental initiative such as Aura’s Africa Project, which aims to strengthen governance frameworks, promote structured development, and engage constructively with global partners, his background makes him not only qualified—but strategically indispensable.
Contemporary Leadership Voice and National Advocacy
In addition to his academic and governmental achievements, Dr. O. Igho Natufe remains an active and influential voice in contemporary Nigerian and African political discourse. His leadership extends beyond advisory and institutional roles into principled public engagement on governance, federalism, and national security.On May 18, 2024, during the 94th Anniversary of the Okpe Union held at the Okpe Union House in Obalende, Lagos, Prof. Natufe delivered a widely reported address (via Zoom) in which he called for structural reform, restoration of true federalism, and accountable governance in Nigeria. The event, attended by members from Nigeria and the diaspora, underscored his continued relevance in national debates at the age of 80.
In his remarks—later reported by Pegasus Reporters (May 29, 2024)—he emphasized that meaningful national advancement depends on institutional restructuring:
“Real progress lies in true federalism, good governance and security.”
He argued that restructuring is not dissolution but reform:“To restructure a political system is to reform its components and redefine the relationships governing the powers and responsibilities of all levels of government.”Drawing historical reference to the 1963 Constitution, he advocated for restoring the exclusive jurisdictions of federating units in critical sectors of the economy, noting that Nigeria’s distorted federal framework has weakened accountability and fiscal responsibility.
Prof. Natufe did not shy away from confronting systemic failures. He stated:“The challenges that confront us in Nigeria are located in the gross failure of two mutually reinforcing properties that have conspired to mismanage and embezzle the wealth of the nation, and impoverish the citizens in the process.”He identified both political leadership and segments of the elite power structure as responsible for governance breakdown, arguing that poor leadership and systemic corruption have undermined national cohesion and security. He described Nigeria as facing an “existential crisis” driven by leadership failure in managing a multi-ethnic and multi-religious state.
His remarks on security challenges, internal displacement, and institutional decline reflect his longstanding scholarly focus on statecraft, federal systems, and governance structures. Importantly, his critique is grounded not in rhetoric, but in decades of comparative research on political systems—from Soviet centralized models to Western federal democracies.
Why He Is Strategically Positioned for Aura’s Africa Project
Dr. Natufe’s advocacy for structured federalism, accountable leadership, and security-sector reform aligns directly with the objectives of the Africa Project of Aura Solution Company Limited. His expertise is not theoretical; it is anchored in:
-
Soviet and Russian policy scholarship, providing insight into centralized planning systems and global power strategy.
-
Western federal governance experience, gained through decades of senior advisory work in Canada.
-
African institutional understanding, shaped by teaching, research, and lived experience in Nigeria and Ghana.
-
Multilingual and cross-cultural fluency, enabling him to operate effectively across African, European, and North American policy environments.
As an alumnus of the People’s Friendship University of Russia and a Ph.D. graduate of McGill University in International Politics, his academic formation bridges ideological traditions. His book Soviet Policy in Africa: From Lenin to Brezhnev and numerous scholarly contributions establish him as a respected authority on major power engagement in Africa.
His career—spanning academia, government advisory roles, international research, and community leadership as President General of the Okpe Union Worldwide—demonstrates a consistent commitment to institutional reform and responsible governance.For the Africa Project, which seeks to strengthen governance frameworks, enhance institutional capacity, and position African states strategically within a multipolar global order
,
Prof. Natufe offers:
-
Deep knowledge of federal restructuring models
-
Strategic understanding of global geopolitical competition in Africa
-
Practical experience in high-level policy coordination
-
A principled commitment to security, accountability, and inclusive development
Dr. O. Igho Natufe represents a convergence of scholar, statesman, reform advocate, and institutional strategist. His recent public interventions reaffirm that his leadership remains active, relevant, and anchored in a vision of structured governance and sustainable African progress.
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.
THE COLD WAR AND THE CONGO CRISIS, 1960-1961
The Cold War and the Congo Crisis, 1960–1961
Author: Omajuwa Igho Natufe
Journal: Africa: Rivista trimestrale di studi e documentazione dell'Istituto italiano per l'Africa e l'Oriente
Volume: Anno 39, No. 3 (September 1984)
Pages: 353–374 (22 pages)
Publisher: Centro Studi Popoli Extraeuropei
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/40759745
Overview
The Cold War and the Congo Crisis, 1960–1961 is a scholarly examination of one of the most significant geopolitical crises of early post-colonial Africa. In this study, Omajuwa Igho Natufe analyzes how the Congo Crisis rapidly evolved from a domestic political upheaval into a central arena of Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. The article explores the interaction between external intervention and internal political fragmentation in the newly independent Republic of the Congo.
Historical Context
Following independence from Belgium on 30 June 1960, the Congo soon descended into instability marked by military mutiny, political rivalry, and secessionist movements—most notably in Katanga under Moïse Tshombe. Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba sought international assistance to preserve national unity, first appealing to the United Nations and subsequently to the Soviet Union.
Natufe situates these developments within the broader ideological struggle between East and West, demonstrating how superpower competition transformed a national crisis into
a major international confrontation.
Key Themes
-
Superpower Rivalry: The Congo is presented as a strategic battleground in which Washington and Moscow viewed events through ideological and geopolitical lenses, each wary of the other’s influence in Africa.
-
United Nations Intervention: The article assesses the role of the United Nations peacekeeping mission (ONUC), examining its diplomatic constraints and operational challenges in addressing secession and foreign involvement.
-
African Agency: While recognizing the influence of external powers, Natufe emphasizes the agency of Congolese leaders and the complexity of internal political alignments.
-
Impact on African Politics: The crisis is portrayed as a defining moment in post-colonial state formation, shaping debates on sovereignty, non-alignment, and federalism across the continent.
Significance
Natufe’s work contributes meaningfully to Cold War historiography by presenting an African-centered analysis of international intervention and decolonization. The article remains an important reference for scholars of African political development, global diplomacy, and the internationalization of post-colonial conflicts.
Citation (Chicago Style):Natufe, Omajuwa Igho. “The Cold War and the Congo Crisis, 1960–1961.” Africa: Rivista trimestrale di studi e documentazione dell'Istituto italiano per l'Africa e l'Oriente 39, no. 3 (1984): 353–374.
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 -
The Cold War and the Congo Crisis, 1960–1961
Author: Omajuwa Igho Natufe
Subject: An academic analysis of how the Congo Crisis (1960–1961) became a focal point of Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, examining superpower intervention, UN involvement, and the impact on post-colonial African state formation.
Journal: Africa: Rivista trimestrale di studi e documentazione dell'Istituto italiano per l'Africa e l'Oriente (Anno 39, No. 3, September 1984), pp. 353–374.
Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/40759745
-
Glorification of Igho Natufe as an octogenarian : Professor Omajuwa Igho Natufe is a high quality Nigerian political scientist who has been in exile for long years which only he can accurately give a precise period or duration – or account of – to our pleasure or displeasure. Two Wednesdays ago, that is, precisely on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, he entered the octogenarian starting point.In other words, on Wednesday of this said day or date he was providentially admitted into the octogenarian circle and cycle as a circler and cycler. This is no mean feat especially for a Nigerian who by choice is living all alone without his blood relations, wife or partner (?) and friends who are friends in a foreign land that happens to be the white man’s land. Our subject has the feats of strength and of wisdom as well as of intelligence to get to where he has gotten to in the Diaspora. This, however, is not why the columnist is exalting or adoring him today. Professor Natufe, an original Safarian, that is, an original Sapele denizen and fellow who was born, significantly bred and nurtured in this coastal city of cities, that once meant so much to our erstwhile white colonisers, has in all his years of voluntary exile been in touch with his roots. He never permanently turned his back on Nigeria and Okpe-land and Itsekiri-land – his respective paternal land and maternal land, but particularly the former which he serves steadily, efficiently, remarkably and patriotically without question and without blemish as president-general world-wide of the Okpe Union (the first and foremost cultural organisation of Okpe people world-wide) as per his explicitly inspirational electoral victory sanctioned by rule of law.
Every consistently creative, critical and inspirational and patriotic reader of this every Friday column would easily recognise that Professor Omajuwa Igho Natufe has until very recently been a regular (or quasi-regular) contributor to ideas, among those of other contributors,’ that stimulate and illuminate this column and help it to flourish. His contributions, or, better, his suggestions, lay claim to courageous and objective truth which illustrated his radical and positively rebellious mien and mind. At no time would you not see him as an angel or arch-angel of objectivity whose radical or rebellious action was never taken to achieve any compelling political end or goal that is dangerously selfish to satisfy his personal urge. He reads my column and other columnists’ in diverse newspapers, Nigerian or non-Nigerian, but especially Nigerian newspapers (in addition to his core academic/intellectual studies) in order to be broad-minded enough in his assessment of the Nigerian condition in the endeavour to advise honestly his Okpe people and non-Okpe comrades on the way forward in his country and region in the land – his country and region, your country and region, my country and region, our country and region. At 80 years of age two Wednesdays ago, as already said, Professor Igho Natufe still struck me in his combination of very whitey-grey and white bear beard, reminiscent of numerous Marxists’, as a personage of actively active, alertly alert intellect whose possessor is not a false preacher and teacher of what he preaches and teaches. His theory of culture and of politics is densely and richly patriotic, and is not in any way based on deception or myths of vindictiveness or of aggression or “illusions of self-glorification or omnipotence” as president-general of Okpe Union world-wide or as a NADECO chieftain in the Diaspora. As a matter of fact, as I am writing this, he is seriously coordinating – if I am using the right word – now the NADECO Committee on a new constitution that NADECO is patriotically proposing to the presidency and relevant body of law makers in Nigeria for patriotically selfless consideration. This will be after NADECO will meet to consider diligently pertinent submissions from invited representatives of all ethnic groups from the most minor to the most major. As far as I know, equity, fairness, justice and other positives shall be the guiding principles and watch-words and key-words of the envisaged NADECO submission that shall be fully divorced from any propagandistic and manipulative trap of obvious conservative danger and glaring radical pragmatism.
In the news
We Are Committed To Making Okpe A Distinct Nationality — Prof. O. Igho Natufe
Professor Omajuwa Igho Natufe, President General of the Okpe Union (Worldwide), has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the identity and institutional development of the Okpe Nation in Delta State, Nigeria. In a recent interview, he emphasized that the Union remains dedicated to advancing Okpe as a distinct nationality within Nigeria’s federal framework.
A Nigerian-born Sovietologist and specialist in International Relations and Soviet/Russian Foreign Policy, Prof. Natufe is an alumnus of the Peoples’ Friendship University (Russia). He previously served as Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana (1978–1980) and the University of Benin (1980–1989), and as Senior Advisor to the Government of Canada (1970–1978; 1989–2011). He is also the author of Soviet Policy in Africa: From Lenin to Brezhnev.
In the interview, Prof. Natufe addressed themes including democratic governance in Okpe Nation, federalism, the ideological foundations of the Okpe Union, and reflections on the 95th Anniversary of the Union. He also commented on leadership developments in Delta State and the broader responsibilities of public office holders.
Read more:https://www.thepointersnewsonline.com/we-are-committed-to-making-okpe-a-distinct-nationality-natufe/
Academic Tributes Mark Prof. Natufe’s Octogenarian Milestone
Distinguished scholars, including Professor Ibrahim Bello-Kanos and Professor Mabel Evwierhoma, have paid tribute to Prof. Natufe’s intellectual contributions and lifelong scholarship. Essays reflecting on his academic rigor, political thought, and personal journey highlight his formative years in Sapele and Warri, his Soviet-era education, and his enduring influence in Nigerian intellectual circles.
Read more: https://www.naijnewsalert.com.ng/2024/04/ibk-and-evwierhoma-on-octogenarian-igho.html
https://guardian.ng/opinion/glorification-of-igho-natufe-as-an-octogenarian-part-2/
“Real Progress Lies in True Federalism, Good Governance and Security”
In a public address directed at national leadership, Prof. Natufe stressed that Nigeria’s development challenges stem from governance failures and structural weaknesses. He advocated for accountability, transparency, citizen participation, and predictable policy frameworks as foundations of good governance.
On Governance, Accountability and Anti-Corruption
In opinion pieces published in national media, Prof. Natufe articulated strong positions on corruption, governance reform, and institutional accountability. He emphasized that democratic systems must enforce transparency and measurable performance standards for public officials, arguing that citizens must actively demand accountability at all levels of government.
Read more: https://guardian.ng/opinion/columnists/igho-natufe/
Prof. Igho Natufe Urges Oborevwori to Emulate Okowa
Professor Igho Natufe, President General of the Okpe Union (Worldwide), recently granted an extensive interview in Lagos where he addressed issues concerning Okpe identity, Delta State governance, democratic principles within traditional systems, and Nigeria’s political restructuring. As an accomplished scholar of International Relations and
Soviet/Russian foreign policy, Prof. Natufe combines academic depth with grassroots advocacy for the Okpe Nation.
An alumnus of the Peoples Friendship University, Prof. Natufe is a Nigerian-born Sovietologist and specialist in international relations. He previously served as Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana (1978–1980) and the University of Benin (1980–1989), and as Senior Advisor to the Government of Canada (1970–1978; 1989–2011). He also held the position of Professor of International Relations at the Institute of Africa, Russian Academy of Sciences (2013–2015; 2018–2025), and currently serves as President and CEO of Stratepol Consultants Inc, as well as Director of the Ukraine–Africa Centre at the Institute of World History. He is the author of Soviet Policy in Africa: From Lenin to Brezhnev and Russian Foreign Policy in Search of Influence.
Speaking on Delta State politics, Prof. Natufe expressed satisfaction that an indigene of Okpe Kingdom now serves as Governor of Delta State in the person of Sheriff Oborevwori. While offering prayers and goodwill for the governor’s success, he urged him to emulate his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who recognized Ika and Ndokwa as distinct ethnic nationalities. Prof. Natufe emphasized that similar recognition for Okpe would position the Okpe Nation as an equal partner among ethnic nationalities in Delta State and allow direct participation in institutions such as DESOPADEC. According to him, recognition of Okpe as a distinct nationality remains fundamental to equitable governance and development.
On the question of democratic tenets within the Okpe Kingdom, Prof. Natufe rejected the notion that democracy is alien to monarchy. He traced the historical foundations of the Kingdom to four princely brothers—Orhue, Orhorho, Evbreke, and Esezi—descendants of Oba Ozolua of the Benin Kingdom. Contrary to the absolute monarchical tradition of Benin, where the first son inherits the throne, the brothers adopted a unique elective principle. They selected the youngest, Esezi, to ascend the throne as the first Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. The system also established rotational succession among ruling houses and a two-stage electoral process culminating in ratification by the Udogun Okpe (Traditional Council). Prof. Natufe argued that this demonstrates that Okpe Kingdom historically embraced democratic principles rather than absolute monarchy.
He further examined the constitutional contradiction between monarchy and republicanism in Nigeria. Nigeria became a republic on October 1, 1963, yet retained traditional institutions within a republican framework. Prof. Natufe described this as a structural inconsistency that remains unresolved. In his view, Nigeria must either fully operate as a federal republic without monarchical structures or formally redefine itself to constitutionally accommodate kingdoms within a clearly defined system, whether constitutional or absolute.
As President General of the Okpe Union, Prof. Natufe outlined the ideological construct of the Union as the promotion, propagation, and defense of Okpe national interests within Delta State and Nigeria. He argued that British colonial classification wrongly subsumed Okpe under Urhobo identity, extinguishing its distinct nationality. The Union therefore seeks recognition of Okpe’s right to self-determination. Drawing historical parallels, he referenced Harriet Tubman as an example of determined struggle for liberation and identity.
In May 2025, the Okpe Union celebrated its 95th Anniversary in Lagos, marking it as the oldest ethnic organization in Nigeria. Prof. Natufe paid tribute to the founding fathers, including Thomas O. Ake, M. A. Ero, Inspector Odeghe, and others who formed the first National Executive Council in 1930. The anniversary celebration focused on strengthening branches nationwide and in the diaspora, as well as mobilizing resources for future advocacy.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Union plans to intensify its campaign for recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. It also advocates for the renaming of Okpe LGA and Sapele LGA to Okpe East LGA and Okpe West LGA, respectively. On the broader national stage, the Okpe Union strongly supports restructuring Nigeria’s federal system. The Union participated in drafting an Executive Bill submitted to Bola Ahmed Tinubu and made submissions to the Federal House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee. Collaboration with other ethnic nationalities forms part of its restructuring strategy.
The Union also continues its bursary programme for Okpe students in higher institutions. In 2025, twelve beneficiaries received awards, continuing the legacy of the founding fathers who sponsored overseas scholarships. The aim remains human capital development and long-term economic advancement of the Okpe Nation.
On media relations, Prof. Natufe acknowledged past distortions regarding Okpe identity but stated that the Union remains vigilant while respecting freedom of speech within Nigeria’s democratic system. He emphasized that the Union will continue to defend Okpe national interests and territorial integrity.
Overall, Prof. Igho Natufe’s message centers on recognition, democratic tradition, constitutional clarity, and structured advocacy. His call for Governor Oborevwori to emulate former Governor Okowa underscores the Union’s primary demand: formal recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality within Delta State and Nigeria.
Source: https://independent.ng/prof-igho-natufe-urges-oborevwori-to-emulate-okowa/