Joel Onowakpo Thomas
Delta State | Senator
Delta State | Senator
Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (born April 27, 1967) is a Nigerian chartered accountant, businessman, and politician, currently serving as Senator for Delta South Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly. He was born in Emede, Isoko South LGA, Delta State. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1994, became a Fellow of ICAN in 2001, and holds a Master’s in Technology Management as well as certificates from Harvard Kennedy School.
Professionally, Thomas has over 29 years of experience in accounting, taxation, and public service. He served as Executive Chairman of Delta State Board of Internal Revenue (2009–2015), significantly increasing the state’s internally generated revenue, and as State Coordinator for FIRS offices in Rivers, Edo, and Delta (2016–2018).
Elected to the Senate in 2023 under APC, he chairs the Senate Committee on Local Content and has sponsored bills including the creation of a Federal Medical Center in Oleh and a Federal University of Information and Technology in Itsekeri.
In business, he is Group Executive Chairman of Yaaaglo Holdings Limited (agriculture, telecoms, mining, construction) and runs philanthropic initiatives through the Elomaz Foundation and Ithihikpebe Campaign Organisation, focusing on education and civil rights empowerment.