Dr. Ebieri Jones

Dr. Ebieri Jones is a distinguished Nigerian accountant, academic, and public administrator currently serving as the Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment in Bayelsa State. He is a prominent figure in Governor Douye Diri’s “Prosperity Administration” and is known for his extensive expertise in finance and economic planning.

Professional & Political Career
Dr. Jones has spent over two decades in the financial services and public sectors:
Current Office: Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Bayelsa State (confirmed in April 2024 following a cabinet reshuffle).

Previous Portfolios: He previously served as the Commissioner for Mineral Resources (2020–2024) and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning.
Banking Experience: He held management positions at major financial institutions, including African Continental Bank PLC (Enterprise Bank), All States Trust Bank PLC (Eco Bank), and served as a Group Head at Linkage Assurance PLC.

Academic Roots: Before his political appointments, he was a lecturer in the Department of Accounting at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Educational Background
His profile is grounded in a deep academic foundation in accounting and business:
Ph.D. in Accounting: He holds a doctorate in accounting, a field he also taught at the university level.
Professional Fellowships: He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB) and a Certified National Accountant (CNA).
Memberships: He holds memberships in the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and the Nigerian Accounting Association (NAA).
Recent Initiatives (2025–2026)
In his current role, Dr. Jones has focused on stimulating the state’s economy through entrepreneurship and industrialization:
SME Support: Launched a ₦4 billion lending scheme to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Bayelsa.
Non-Oil Exports: Actively promotes the non-oil sector, hosting interactive sessions in February 2026 to facilitate export finance for local producers.
Investment Promotion: He serves as a key advocate for Bayelsa as a “safe destination for investment,” frequently engaging with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and international investors on projects like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) manufacturing.

Personal Profile
Origin: He hails from the Akassa community in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.