Professor Festus Asikhia Announces Senate Run and Highlights Leadership Achievements

Abuja, Nigeria, July 14th, 2026

Professor Festus Uwakhemen Asikhia, entrepreneur, academic, and governance advocate, today announced his intention to contest for the Federal Capital Territory Senate seat under the Zenith Labour Party. His career spans enterprise leadership, scholarly research, and public policy, reflecting a commitment to sustainable development, institutional growth, and ethical leadership in Africa.

“Leadership is about building institutions that endure, not just individual success,” said Professor Asikhia. “My goal is to apply the knowledge, experience, and networks I have cultivated across business, academia, and public service to advance transparent governance, economic inclusion, and social development for the citizens of the Federal Capital Territory.”

Key Achievements

• Entrepreneurship:

Founder of Festrut Group, a diversified enterprise with interests in real estate, healthcare, logistics, consulting, and education.

• Infrastructure Projects:

Development of 650 housing units in Nasarawa State (~US$30M) and the Festrut Estate in Abuja (~US$110M).

• Academic Excellence:

Holds multiple degrees across sociology, law, business, governance, psychology, and health management; appointed Professor of Governance and Leadership at Atlantic International University.

• Research Contributions:

Authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications on governance, leadership, public health, psychology, and organizational development.

• Honors:

Recipient of the Ambassador of Peace Award and the Award for Global Excellence for contributions to leadership, entrepreneurship, and community impact.

Commitment to Governance and Development

Professor Asikhia’s work emphasizes the integration of scholarship and practical execution, promoting policies that prioritize education, youth empowerment, infrastructure development, and transparent governance. His candidacy aims to translate decades of cross-sector experience into evidence-based policymaking that benefits citizens and strengthens institutions.

“I see politics as an extension of my lifelong commitment to public service and nation-building,” said Asikhia. “By combining practical leadership experience with research and innovation, we can create a governance model that delivers measurable impact for the people.”

Professor Festus Uwakhemen Asikhia is increasingly being recognised as one of Africa’s emerging voices at the intersection of governance, entrepreneurship, academia and sustainable development, as his growing contributions across multiple sectors continue to attract attention within leadership and policy circles.

With a career spanning business, education, governance and public policy, Asikhia has distinguished himself by building institutions that combine commercial success with measurable social impact. His work reflects a commitment to advancing leadership, enterprise and nation-building through practical execution, research and institutional development.

Born in Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Professor Asikhia’s journey began from humble beginnings that shaped his values of resilience, discipline and hard work. Those early experiences later informed his entrepreneurial philosophy of creating opportunities and building institutions capable of driving long-term development.

In 2010, he established the Festrut brand, which has since evolved into the Festrut Group, a diversified organisation with operations spanning real estate, construction, healthcare, logistics, consulting, education and several other strategic sectors.

Over the years, the company has expanded beyond commercial enterprise to focus on long-term value creation, employment generation and sustainable economic growth, reinforcing Asikhia’s belief that businesses should serve as vehicles for societal transformation while creating systems that outlive their founders.

Alongside his entrepreneurial accomplishments, education has remained a defining pillar of his career. His academic background cuts across sociology, law, business administration, health management, psychology, governance and social work, providing an interdisciplinary foundation that informs both his leadership philosophy and institutional approach.

His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Ambrose Alli University, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Suffolk, a Master of Science in Social Work (Health) and an MBA in Human Resources from LAUTECH, a Master of Laws from Liverpool John Moores University, a Doctor of Management, doctoral degrees in Health Management and Social Work, a Postdoctoral qualification in Psychology, and his appointment as Professor of Governance and Leadership at Atlantic International University. He is also an Associate Member of the International Association for Quality Assurance in Pre-Tertiary and Higher Education (AQAHE).

According to information released by his office, Professor Asikhia has authored more than fifty peer-reviewed journal publications in addition to books and scholarly works covering governance, leadership, public health, psychology, law and organisational development. His research has contributed to ongoing discussions surrounding institutional leadership, policy implementation and sustainable development across Africa.

His development-focused investments have also continued to expand through the Festrut Group. Among the company’s flagship projects is the development of approximately 650 housing units in Nasarawa State, valued by the organisation at about ₦40 billion (approximately US$30 million).

The company has also completed the Festrut Estate in Katampe-Orozo, Abuja, a modern residential development which the organisation estimates represents an investment exceeding ₦150 billion (approximately US$110 million). The projects underscore Asikhia’s position that real estate development should serve as a catalyst for economic growth, employment creation and improved living standards.

Beyond business and academia, Professor Asikhia has continued to gain recognition for his contributions to governance, institutional development and humanitarian service.

Among the honours conferred on him are the Ambassador of Peace Award, recognising his commitment to peacebuilding, humanitarian service and social development, as well as the Award for Global Excellence, acknowledging his contributions to leadership, entrepreneurship and community development.

These recognitions complement his wider advocacy for ethical leadership, capacity development and collaborative partnerships aimed at strengthening institutions across Africa.

In a significant political development, Professor Asikhia has formally declared his intention to contest for the Federal Capital Territory Senate seat under the platform of the Zenith Labour Party.

His decision to seek elective office builds on decades of experience across business and academia and reflects his belief that governance should be driven by practical leadership experience, evidence-based policymaking and institutional accountability. Throughout his public engagements, he has consistently advocated for improved education, youth empowerment, economic inclusion, infrastructure development and transparent governance.

Observers note that rather than viewing politics as a departure from his previous career, Professor Asikhia presents public office as a continuation of his long-standing commitment to public service and national development.

As conversations around Africa’s future continue to focus on institutional reform and sustainable leadership, Professor Festus Uwakhemen Asikhia is increasingly being recognised as a multidisciplinary leader whose work bridges academia, enterprise and governance.

From building businesses and publishing scholarly research to mentoring future leaders and pursuing public office, his growing body of work continues to strengthen his profile as an influential advocate for governance, enterprise and sustainable development across the African continent.

By Nuel Sam

Contact