From Benin City to the Nigerian Senate, Neda Bernards Imasuen’s journey has transited a straight path as a lawyer, international consultant and now Senator representing Edo South under the banner of the Labour Party.
Who Is Neda Imasuen
Neda Imasuen is a Nigerian lawyer-turned-politician who, in 2023, was elected to represent the Edo South Senatorial District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the Labour Party platform.
He is most known for his overseas legal career, his sudden entry into national politics and his role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges & Public Petitions.
His Profile Summary
|
Field |
Details |
|
Full Name |
Neda Bernards Imasuen |
|
Date of Birth / Age |
29 June 1958 (about 67 years as of 2025) |
|
State of Origin |
Edo State, Nigeria |
|
Local Government Area |
Benin City / Oredo LGA in Edo South region |
|
Tribe/Ethnicity |
Edo (Bini) |
|
Religion |
Christian (public record indicates Catholic schooling) |
|
Marital Status |
Married (children mentioned) |
|
Political Party |
Labour Party (elected 2023) |
|
Current Position |
Senator, Edo South Senatorial District; Chair, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges & Public Petitions |
|
Years Active in Politics |
Elected 2023 – present |
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Neda Imasuen’s Early Life and Education
Born on 29 June 1958 in Benin City, Edo State, Neda Imasuen grew up in the heart of one of Nigeria’s most historic cultural capitals.
He attended St Thomas’ Catholic School, Ogbe, Benin City, for his primary education, followed by Edo Boys High School in Benin City, where he obtained his West African School Certificate.
For his tertiary education, he graduated with an LL.B degree from the University of Maiduguri and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar as a Solicitor & Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1985.
He later earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, New York, in 2004.
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His Career Before Politics
Before full immersion into politics, Imasuen built a professional career as a lawyer and consultant. He practised law in Nigeria after his admission in 1985, and later moved to the United States, where he was admitted to the New York bar on 16 September 1992.
His U.S. legal career, however, became controversial. In May 2010, the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court disbarred Neda Imasuen for default in responding to a grievance committee about client-representation misconduct.
After this, he returned to Nigeria and reportedly worked as a consultant on development projects with institutions such as the World Bank and the European Union before shifting fully into politics.
The pivot from an overseas legal/consultancy career back to Nigeria was a key transition moment, culminating in his 2023 Senate election.
READ ALSO: Adamu Aliero: Polygamist, Two-Time Governor, Ex-Minister and Multi-Term Senator.
Neda Imasuen’s Political Career
His Entry into Politics
In 2022–2023, Imasuen formally entered the political arena, contesting under the Labour Party for the Edo South Senatorial seat. He emerged victorious in the 2023 general elections, unseating the incumbents from the major parties.
His Major Political Roles
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Elected Senator, Edo South Senatorial District, in June 2023.
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Appointed Chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges & Public Petitions, soon into his term.
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In June 2025, he publicly announced intentions to defect from the Labour Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing alignment with the federal government for the development of Edo South.
His Achievements and Impact
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