For Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, public service comes down to one thing: what changes in the lives of the people he represents. It is a belief shaped by his upbringing in Cross River State, where he grew up in a modest home with parents who were civil servants. Discipline, honesty and respect were part of everyday life. Those lessons have stayed with him. Politics was not always the plan. Before entering public office, Jarigbe was a businessman and entrepreneur. He says he was drawn into politics by a desire to see his people better served. His journey began in the House of Representatives in 2015, before he moved to the Senate in 2021 through a fiercely contested by-election. His re-election in 2023, against a sitting governor, was another defining moment in a career that has seen its share of political battles. His academic background is an interesting mix. He studied Chemistry and Law, then went on to earn a Master’s degree in Criminal Law and Enforcement. He says Chemistry taught him to think analytically, while Law gave him a deeper understanding of fairness and due process. Today, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Gas), he is involved in decisions that could shape Nigeria’s energy future. In this conversation with Bafunke Babs-Kufeji, Senator Jarigbe speaks about the journey that brought him into politics, the demands of representing his people, the challenges that remain and the kind of legacy he hopes to leave behind.
You were born and raised in Cross River State. What was growing up like for you, and what memories of your childhood still influence the way you see life, governance and responsibility today?
I grew up in a modest household where discipline, honesty and respect for others were non-negotiable. My parents were both Civil Servants. My childhood memories shaped my belief that public office is a trust, not a trophy.
You studied Chemistry and Law and later earned a Master’s degree in Criminal Law and Enforcement. These are quite different fields of study. What inspired your choices, and how have they shaped the way you think, make decisions and approach public service?
“My first degree in Chemistry trained me to be analytical: to test assumptions, to follow evidence rather than emotion. Law taught me that society is held together by rules, fairness and due process. My Master’s in Criminal Law and Enforcement brought the two together: a scientific mind applied to the problem of order and justice. “In public service, I approach issues the same way: gather the facts, understand the law, then ask what is fair and workable for the people I represent.
Before venturing into politics, what did you do?
Before politics I was a businessman and an entrepreneur, building enterprises and creating opportunities in the private sector.
Was a career in public service always part of your plans, or did something happen along the way that drew you into politics? Were there particular people who influenced or encouraged you?
Public service was not my childhood plan; I was drawn in by a genuine desire to see my people better served. Along the way, mentors and community leaders encouraged me. People who believed that someone with a private-sector mindset and empathetic can bring something different to representation. I am grateful to them.
Your move from the House of Representatives to the Senate in 2021, followed by your re-election in 2023 against an incumbent governor, were significant moments in your political career. What were those contests like behind the scenes? What were your biggest challenges, and what do you think made the people of Cross River North stand by you?
I would say, both contests were hard-fought. The 2021 by-election came after a long legal and political battle, and the 2023 election was against a sitting governor, no small thing. Behind the scenes there were pressures, negotiations and moments of uncertainty. What carried us was the people of Cross River North. They stood by me because they had seen the work: the projects, the empowerment programmes, the accessibility of my office. They chose continuity over noise. Above all, the grace of God saw me through.
You have been in the National Assembly since 2015, first as a member of the House of Representatives and now as a senator. Looking back at these years, what would you consider your three biggest achievements, and how have they improved the lives of the people you represent?
My first achievement was effective representation. Giving Cross River North a strong, independent voice in both chambers. Secondly, constituency development. I invested in roads, water, health and education infrastructure across the five local government areas. Thirdly, I focused on empowerment and human capital development, supporting young people and women with skills, tools and start-up support. I measure these not by ceremonies but by whether they have changed daily life for our people.
People often judge their elected representatives by what they can see and experience in their communities. What projects have you facilitated across Cross River North since becoming senator? Can you give us specific examples, including the communities involved, which projects have been completed and those still ongoing?
I have facilitated road rehabilitation, solar-powered water boreholes, classroom blocks and health centre upgrades across Obanliku, Obudu, Bekwarra, Ogoja and Yala. Specific communities have benefited from water schemes and rural road improvements, and several classroom and health projects are at various stages. Some are completed and in use; others are ongoing. I am happy to provide a detailed project-by-project list to the public.
Constituency projects are sometimes announced with great expectations, only for communities to wait years for completion. Are there projects facilitated under your representation that are yet to be completed? What has held them back, and when can the affected communities realistically expect to see them completed?
Yes, there are projects still in progress. The main constraints have been funding releases, procurement delays and, in some cases, terrain and security challenges. I have continued to push for their completion through oversight and budget follow-up. I believe communities deserve honest timelines, and I am committed to seeing these projects through rather than abandoning them.
Youth unemployment remains a major concern, particularly for young graduates who are struggling to find jobs or start businesses. What have you done to address this in Cross River North? How many young people have benefited from your empowerment programmes, what exactly did they receive, and are there examples of beneficiaries who have gone on to build sustainable businesses or secure employment?
Youth unemployment is one of our biggest challenges. My empowerment programmes have focused on skills acquisition, small-business grants, tools and equipment, and support for graduates. Hundreds of young people have benefited across the constituency. Some have gone on to build sustainable businesses and secure employment; I am proud of them and will continue to expand these programmes.
Philanthropy and community development are also highlighted as part of your work. What does this involve beyond individual acts of giving? Do you have organised programmes in place, and how do you monitor their impact? More importantly, how do you know that the people who receive support are better off in the long run?
Beyond individual acts of giving, I have organised empowerment and community development programmes: skills training, business support and community infrastructure. I monitor impact through feedback from beneficiaries and community leaders, and by following up on whether businesses survive and grow. The goal is not charity but dignity and self-reliance.
What would you say are the three biggest challenges facing Cross River North today? Looking at infrastructure, healthcare, education, electricity and unemployment, where have you made the most progress, and which areas still require more attention?
The biggest are unemployment, poor infrastructure and limited access to quality healthcare and education. I have made the most progress in infrastructure and empowerment. Healthcare, education and electricity still require more attention, and I will keep pushing for them.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Gas), you are in a position to influence decisions in a sector that is vital to Nigeria’s economy. What has your committee achieved so far, and what practical benefits should Nigerians expect from its work, particularly in terms of jobs, affordable energy and industrial development?
As Chairman, my committee has focused on strengthening the legal and policy framework for gas development, oversight of gas-sector institutions and promoting gas as a transition fuel for industry and power. The practical benefits Nigerians should expect are jobs, cheaper and more reliable energy, and industrial development driven by gas.
Nigeria has vast gas resources but continues to struggle with electricity supply and energy costs. Where are we getting it wrong? What needs to change, and what specific policies or interventions are you pushing for to ensure that the country makes better use of its gas resources?
We have vast gas resources but weak infrastructure, policy inconsistency, and a failure to connect gas to power and industry at scale. What needs to change is deliberate policy: gas-to-power and gas-to-industry projects, incentives for investment, and stronger enforcement of gas utilisation obligations. I am pushing for policies that ensure our gas benefits Nigerians first.
13. Having served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, you have had a close look at how the National Assembly works. How would you assess the performance of the legislature? Do you think lawmakers are doing enough to hold the executive accountable, particularly on issues that directly affect ordinary Nigerians?
The National Assembly has made progress in lawmaking and oversight, but there is room for improvement. Lawmakers must be more rigorous in holding the executive accountable, especially on issues that directly affect ordinary Nigerians — security, power, healthcare and education. I believe in constructive, evidence-based oversight.
Nigerian politics often demands a delicate balance between party loyalty, personal convictions and the expectations of the electorate. How do you manage these competing interests? Have you ever had to take a position that went against your party’s wishes because you believed it was the right thing for the people you represent?
I manage this by putting the people first. Party loyalty matters, but it cannot override the interests of my constituents. I have taken positions that went against my party’s wishes when I believed it was right for the people I represent. That is what representation means.
As you continue your tenure, what should the people of Cross River North expect from you? Are there specific projects or commitments you want them to hold you to before your time in the Senate comes to an end?
They should expect continued accessibility, honest representation and delivery of projects. I want them to hold me to specific commitments: completing ongoing projects, expanding youth empowerment, and ensuring our communities are not left behind in national decisions.
We see you at the Senate, political gatherings and constituency engagements, but there is a side of you that the public may not know. Who is Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe away from politics? How do you spend your time when you are not attending to official duties?
Away from politics, I am a family man and a private person. I enjoy reading, reflecting and spending quiet time with my family. I value loyalty, honesty and service.
17. You are a husband and father of four. How has being a family man influenced the way you approach leadership and responsibility? With the demands of public office, how do you make time for your wife and children, and what values are most important to you as a father?
Being a husband and father has taught me patience, sacrifice and responsibility. I make time for my wife and children as much as possible, and the values I hold most important as a father are integrity, discipline and respect for others.
18. What do you enjoy doing outside politics? How do you relax, what are your personal interests, and is there a hobby or passion that might surprise people who know you only as a senator?
I enjoy reading, following current affairs and spending time with family and friends. People might be surprised to know I appreciate quiet reflection and simple moments away from the noise of politics.
19. Being in public office means having to deal with both praise and criticism, sometimes from people who may not agree with your decisions. How do you handle public criticism? Has there been a particular comment or experience that made you take a second look at your position on an issue?
Criticism is part of public life. I listen carefully, take what is useful and ignore what is merely noise. There have been moments when feedback made me reconsider a position, and I believe that is a sign of strength, not weakness.
20. When you eventually leave public office, what would you like to be remembered for? Beyond political victories and the positions you have held, what would you want the people of Cross River North to say has changed for the better because you represented them?
When I leave public office, I want to be remembered not for the positions I held but for what changed for the better in Cross River North, better roads, better schools, better healthcare, empowered young people, and a people who felt truly represented. I want them to say: he served us honestly and did his best.
PHOTOS : KAMILAH HARUNA
