Nse Essien (born March 23, 1970) is a Nigerian politician and sports administrator. He serves as a member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. He is also the Deputy Chief Whip at the parliament. He is the owner of FC One Rocket[1] and Carabana Football Academy.[2]
Nse Essien was born on March 23, 1970, in Ikot Akpan Nko village in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom. He was born into the family of Udofot Essien and Angella Essien.
Essien was enrolled into the army school, Calabar, where he finished and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. After his primary education he attended Ibesikpo Secondary Commercial School, Nung Udoe where he graduated. He later attended the University of Uyo where he graduated with a B.A (Hons.) English. He also holds a MSc Development Planning and Environment and Development.
In 1993, he had served as the assistant secretary, National Association of Akwa Ibom Students (NAAKISS). In 1994, he was elected Vice President of NAAKISS. Between 2003 and 2008, he served as the Vice Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Youth Council. He was later appointed Secretary of the Onna Local Government council in 2012, a position he held till 2014, having earlier been appointed as board member Akwa Ibom State College of Agriculture, Obio Akpa between 2010 till 2011.
In 2015, Essien ran for the office of Member of Parliament in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly representing Onna State Constituency.[3] He was subsequently elected and sworn-in. While in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly he was appointed Deputy Chief Whip in the chambers. He has also served as the Chairman House Committee on Investment, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, as well as being the Vice Chairman House committee on Sports. In 2019, he was re-assigned as the Chairman House Committee on Security, Youth and Sports having been re-elected into the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly[4] after the 2019 general elections.[5]
He serves as the Deputy Chief Whip in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. He was also appointed the Technical Director of all teams owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government including Akwa United, Dakkada FC, Ibom Youths FC and Ibom Angels FC.[6] Nse Essien is currently serving as an executive board member of the Nigeria Football Federation having been elected in September 2022.[7]
Essien is married to Ndifreke Nse Essien and they have four children.[citation needed]
Through Carabana Foundation, he has carried out several scholarship programs to aid youths in education. In a report by Nextreporters, he has been described as "the pillar of youths in Akwa Ibom State".[8]
Essien is also known to be visiting the Nigerian Correctional Service every Yuletide period in the last eight years where has facilitated the release of 189 inmates having paid the option of fines for them.[9][10] In 2023, he redeemed his $3000 pledge to the Flying Eagles for their win over Argentina.
In 2023, he was recognized by Russian-based football club FDC Vista for his Outstanding performance in Sports and Youths Development in the country.[11] He was awarded Sports Icon of the Year alongside Kunle Soname.[12]