Ajuri Ngelale (born on 12 November in the 1980s) is a Nigerian journalist and investigative reporter, columnist, author, editor, and pastor. Ajuri was formerly the senior special assistant on public affairs to the 15th president of Nigeria. His role does not end only as a government official but also as a family man and father of four. Moreso, Ajuri is the son of a former Minister of State for Water Resources, Chief Precious Ngelale.
Ajuri has been in the journalism sector since 2011. His contributions to many other sectors have gained him executive recognition. There is more to be told about him here.
Summary of Ajuri Ngelale’s Biography
- Full name: Ajuri Obari Precious Ngelale
- Nickname: Google or Encyclopedia (Campus nickname)
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: 13 November
- Ethnicity: Ogoni
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christian
- Marital Status: Married
- Ajuri Ngelale’s Children: Four
- Ajuri Ngelale’s Parents: Chief Precious Osaro Ngelale (Father), Mrs Kobo Roseline Ngelale (Mother)
- Siblings: Five
- Ajuri Ngelale’s Net worth: $500,000 (Estimated)
- Famous for: Journalist, Author, and public servant
- Ajuri Ngelale’s Instagram: @ajuri.ngelale
- Twitter: @ajuriobaringelale
- Facebook: Ajuri Ngelale
- Education: Government Secondary School, Port Harcourt; The University of Kansas
How Old is Ajuri Ngelale?
Ajuri Obari Ngelale’s exact age remains shadowy. However, he celebrates his birthday every 12 November and was born in the 1980s. He is an Ogoni-born man from Ekporo, Eleme LGA of Rivers State, and is partly an American.
The renowned journalist’s parents are Chief Precious Osaro Ngelale, former Nigerian Honorable Minister of State for Water Resources, and a German mother, Mrs Kobo Roseline Ngelale.
Ajuri was born into a Christian family of six children. Early in life, at the age of five, Ngelale’s family relocated to Port Harcourt. He was enrolled in primary school and, later on, attended a Government Secondary School in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
By the time he was ready for tertiary education, Ajuri attended the University of Kansas and got a degree in Political Science and History.
Ajuri Ngelale’s Career Kickstarted in 2011
After obtaining a degree from the University of Kansas, the Rivers State native returned to Nigeria for his mandatory National Youth Service year. He was then posted to the late Raymond Dokpesi-owned Africa Independent Television (AIT) as a youth service corp member in 2011.
At the time, he was in charge of a radio show called Political Platform, which ran five times a week on the radio channel. Ajuri Ngelale was later relieved of his duties at the station in 2014 after three years of active service in the FCT in Abuja.
He gained another milestone in his career and further heightened his popularity in the public’s eye when he gained employment with Channels Television, Abuja as a presenter, producer, and senior news correspondent in 2016. He anchored shows like Africa’s Future Leaders as well as Sunrise Daily.
He Has a Career Working With the Nigerian Government and the Presidency
Prior to his moving to Channels TV, Ngelale
What may be considered the peak of Ajuri Ngelale’s career came in 2019, months after leaving Channel’s television. The political science graduate was appointed Senior Specials Assistant on Public Matters to President Muhammadu Buhari till his tenure ended in 2023.
He was majorly the presidential spokesperson. He constantly defended the honor of the former president. One of the many includes his ability to speak up when Buhari was attacked on the basis of favoring a particular ethnic group over others.
Ajuri’s unique qualities working with President Buhari were apparent to the All Progressives Party (APC). As such, he was sought after during the 2023 Nigeria general elections.
He was inaugurated as the Assistant Principal Spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu — Kashim Shettima 2023 Presidential Campaign Organization.
Even after the elections, Ajuri still reports crucial matters about Nigeria’s 16th president as well as other national matters related to the presidency.
Throughout his career, he has received recognitions such as:
- Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Presidency – (2019)
- Senior Presidential Media Adviser and PR Executive – (2022)
All About Ajuri Ngelale’s Career as a Writer, Author, and Pastor
The Rivers State native and son of a former Nigerian minister is known for his writing prowess. He is credited with being the author of books titled Buhari: From General to President and Struggle for Nigeria’s Soul.
Furthermore, he has written and edited several articles. Many of his works are channeled to his specialty, politics. This has made him dubbed one of the most well-informed people in Muhammadu Buhari‘s cabinet (2019-2023).
Away from writing, Ngelale is also a pastor. One of his famous messages is Foundation in the Midst of Storms. He recorded the message at the Sureword Worship Centre in Apo, Abuja.
His other messages are The Parable of the Hidden Treasure, Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builder, and The Quiet Period.
He has Been Involved in Some Controversies Related to the Government
Climbing the professional ladder combined with high-profiled fame has afforded Ajuri Ngelale a chance to be featured on platforms such as Cable News Network (CNN) and Voice of America.
On 1 March 2023, during an interview with CNN’s Zain Asher, he was purportedly said to have made false claims pertaining to the Nigerian elections. Ajuri Ngelale downplayed the level of violence that spread out in the course of the elections across many states within Nigeria.
While the other parties, asides from the All Progressives Party (APC) and some Nigerians, disputed the results from the presidential elections held on 25 February 2023, Ajuri once again claimed that the political parties had no dispute with the results from the elections.
Another claim that set Nigerians talking about his interview was over the supposed upload of results from every ward, local government, and state in the country. This again may be contradicted and had caused many to call out the presidential spokesman for his claims which they thought was an overstretch of the truth.
Ajuri Ngelale’s Wife and Kids
Ajuri Ngelale has managed to set his private life away from the public glare. Nonetheless, it is certain that the journalist is married. It is unclear when Ajuri Ngelale and his wife were wedded, but she is said to be an Igbo woman from eastern Nigeria.
The couple are parents of 4 children. Ajuri and his wife first became the parents of three boys till his wife delivered a baby girl on 10 February 2023.