Administrator | Accountant-General of Nigeria | OPEC Director of Funds

Williams Tadaerigha Dambo, fondly called WT Dambo, was born on March 28, 1923, in Nembe-Brass District, Eastern Nigeria (now Bayelsa State). He was the son of Pa Oje Walson Dambo, a successful businessman of Bassambiri, and Mrs. Inabogote Dambo.

Education

WT Dambo began his primary education at the Native Administrative School, Nembe (1934–1940). In 1941, he enrolled at Kalabari National College (KNC), Buguma, where he excelled academically, achieving Grade I in the Senior Cambridge Examination in 1945 despite wartime challenges.

His brilliance led him to pursue accountancy, a relatively unknown profession at the time. After completing his intermediate ACCA, he studied at the Leeds College of Commerce, London (1957–1959), where he passed the ACCA finals. He later undertook advanced management courses in the United Kingdom (1968) and Pittsburgh, USA (1977).

Career

WT Dambo joined the Federal Public Service as a clerk and steadily rose through the ranks. He returned to the Treasury Department in 1962, serving in various ministries before being appointed Deputy Accountant-General of the Federation on July 1, 1971.

Between 1972 and 1974, he was Director of the National Provident Fund. On July 1, 1974, he reached the pinnacle of his career when he was appointed Accountant-General of the Federation, a position he held for eight years until his voluntary retirement in 1982.

As Accountant-General, he:

• Made all ministries and agencies self-accounting
• Established Federal Pay Offices across all states
• Served on several Federal Boards
• Chaired the Pan African Bank Ltd in Rivers and Bayelsa States

After retirement, he joined the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna, Austria, serving as Director of Funds (1983–1987).

Honors and Professional Memberships

For his distinguished service, WT Dambo was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). He was a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and the Institute of Certified and Corporate Accountants (FCCA). In 1982, he was unanimously elected President of the African Accounting Council.

Personal Life and Faith

WT Dambo was married to Mrs. Sybil Belemoye Dambo (now late), and together they had eight children. A devout Christian, he was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church, Port Harcourt, known for his commitment to tithing and service.

Death and Legacy

WT Dambo passed away on May 12, 1993, in Port Harcourt after a brief illness. He was buried in Nembe-Bassambiri on September 4, 1993, at the age of 70.

His legacy includes pioneering reforms in Nigeria’s financial administration, strengthening accountability in government institutions, and representing Nigeria with distinction on the global stage. He remains celebrated as an Accountant per Excellence, a visionary leader, and a devoted family man.