Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe

Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe is Nigerian accountant, public administrator and a philanthropist. He was the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2021 to January 2, 2024.

Background and Education Afolabi was born in Otuo, Owan East Local Government, Edo State, on April 5, 1964. He attended Edo College, Benin City before heading on to University of Benin for his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. He also got his MBA from University of Benin in 1997. He got a doctorate degree in Security and Strategic Studies from Nasarawa State University.

Career Afolabi joined Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research as an accountant. He was the Director of Finance and Accounts of the institute till 2007.

He was appointed to serve as the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in 2020. Afolabi was appointed to Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as Permanent secretary in January 2021 where he also retired on January 2, 2024. Afolabi is also the chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services.