Professor Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade, born March 2, 1968, served as the Governor of Cross River State from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023.
A multi-talented individual, Ayade holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Microbiology and was a university lecturer before entering politics.
His political journey began in 2011 when he was elected Senator for Cross River North under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), serving as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology.
He transitioned to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2021.
As governor, Ayade’s administration was characterized by an ambitious industrialization drive, including the establishment of numerous industries, and extensive infrastructural projects such as the Obudu International Cargo and Passenger Airport and the Calabar-Odukpani-Tinapa dual carriage. His tenure also focused on job creation and a significant investment in agricultural revitalization within the state.