Chief Timipre Sylva Marlin CON (born July 7, 1964) is a well-known Nigerian politician, oil specialist, and public administrator from Bayelsa State. He is well known for serving as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources from 2019 to 2023 and as Governor of Bayelsa State from 2007 to 2012.
Sylva is regarded for his extensive understanding of the petroleum business and for his contributions to the Amnesty Programme, which helped to restore peace in the Niger Delta.
He has also held other government positions, including Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Board and President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO).
Timipre Sylva Biography
Sylva was born in Brass, Bayelsa (previously Rivers State, which was split off in 1996). Timipre Sylva was born to Mr and Mrs Sylva of Brass Local Government Area in Bayelsa state. He frequently attributed his upbringing and moral beliefs to them. He received part of his schooling in Bayelsa and in Lagos, Nigeria’s former capital. He served in the Rivers State House of Assembly during the 1990s.
Timipre Sylva graduated from the University of Port Harcourt with a distinction in English (Linguistics) in 1986. At the time, he was the finest graduating student in his department and the departmental valedictorian. In 2011, UBIS University awarded him a Doctor of International Relations (Honoris causa) degree. Sylva received his second Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in public administration on December 2, 2020, from AiPA (African Institute of Public Administration), Leading Edge Foundation, and LBBS.
Political career
Sylva’s political career began in 1992, when he won a seat in the House of Assembly Election for the Brass constituency in old Rivers State. At the time, he was the youngest member of the House of Assembly. His political career continued in 2004 when he was named Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Petroleum by Edmund Daukoru.
He remained in that post until resigning to participate in the PDP gubernatorial primary in Bayelsa State in 2006, where he finished second behind Goodluck Jonathan. After Jonathan was appointed as Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s running mate in the PDP presidential primaries, the PDP’s gubernatorial candidature became vacant, and conventional wisdom prevailed over political actors, and Sylva was elevated to the position of PDP gubernatorial candidate.
Sylva, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, won the 2007 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election and succeeded Goodluck Jonathan, who later became Vice President. During his inauguration, he stated that Bayelsa was “the least developed industrially and commercially” among the 36 states.
Sylva’s 2007 election opponent, Ebitimi Amgbare of the Action Congress, filed a legal challenge to his victory. Although the Bayelsa State Election Petitions Tribunal confirmed Sylva’s election, Amgbare brought the case to the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, which overruled the Tribunal’s ruling and declared Sylva’s election invalid on April 15, 2008.
The Appeal Court’s five justices ruled unanimously, ordering that Speaker Werinipre Seibarugo be sworn in to replace Sylva as interim Governor, with a new election held within three months.
On May 24, 2008, a new election was held, and Sylva was easily elected as the PDP candidate, receiving 588,204 votes out of around 598,000. He was sworn in again on May 27, promising to establish a broad-based unity government.
The Supreme Court terminated his tenure on January 27, 2012, and appointed an acting governor to lead the state until the February 2012 election. On Wednesday, August 21, 2019, President Buhari nominated Sylva as Nigeria’s Cabinet Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
Corruption allegations
Senate President Ahmad Lawan has categorically refuted accusations that members of the national parliament, including himself and House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, were paid $10 million to approve the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by August 2021. The claims stated that financial incentives were given to legislators to support the measure, with Sylva and Akwa Ibom North-East Senator Bassey Albert Akpan allegedly coordinating the process.
Lawan denounced the proliferation of fake news and misinformation, underlining the importance of the PIB to Nigeria’s economic progress. He argued that the law was passed on its merits, following much debate and study. Lawan urged Nigerians to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly and to think positively of their leaders and administrations.
Awards
In October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari bestowed the national accolade of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on him in recognition of his achievements in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
EFCC declares Timipre Sylva wanted
Timipre Sylva’s professional career has not been without controversy. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proclaimed him wanted in 2025 for allegedly defrauding the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited project out of $14.85 million.
His spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, and rights activist Mahdi Shehu both regarded the EFCC’s efforts as politically motivated, stating that the claims were part of an attempt to harm his reputation.
Before the corruption case, soldiers invaded Sylva’s Abuja home for his involvement in a failed coup plot, which he denied publicly. Despite these concerns, Sylva has maintained his innocence and promised to assist with law enforcement after completing medical treatment overseas.
Timipre Sylva Wife
Timipre Sylva is married to Her Excellency Ambassador Mrs Alanyingi Sylva, a noted entrepreneur, health coach, and humanitarian. She is the former First Lady of Bayelsa State and the Chair of the Centre for Gender Values and Culture.
Alanyingi is also the founder of the WHITE Development Initiative (Women Hub for Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurial Development), a Pan-African organisation that promotes women in technology and business.
She has represented Nigeria in international venues, including the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) in 2024.
Her international accolades include being named a Global Ambassador for the Gender Priority Strategy Movement and earning the International Eminent Peace Ambassador Award from the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA).
Chief Timipre Sylva and his wife, Alanyingi, have three children: Taria, Timipre Junior, and Pagabio Sylva. The family is noted for their tight relationship and dedication to education and community service.
Timipre Sylva’s net worth
Timipre Sylva has an estimated net worth of $607 million. His wealth stems from a long career in politics, public service, and influence in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
