FINBARR JAMES ZIRRA
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Finbarr James Zirra, born on September 27, 1966, in Kaduna and hailing from Adamawa State, has an extensive educational background. He attended Demonstration Primary School Bazza in Michika LGA, Adamawa State, from 1974 to 1979, followed by Government Secondary School Mubi in Adamawa State from 1979 to 1984, where he obtained his GCE. He then pursued a B.Eng. (civil) Hons. at the University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, from 1984 to 1990, a PGD in Management at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria, from 2008 to 2010, an MSc in International Management at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, from 2014 to 2016, and a PhD in Management (Investment) at Universidad Central De Nicaragua from 2018 to 2022.
Beginning his career as a Civil Engineer II (Grade Level 08) in 1992 at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (Highways Department), Finbarr Zirra has worked across various departments within the highway sector. His dedication and commitment led to his progression through the ranks, culminating in his appointment as the Director overseeing the Office of the Director of Road Design (Northwest/Southwest) in 2017. From 2018 to 2022, he served as the Federal Controller of Works in Kaduna State and later as the Director of Highways Planning at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing before his recent posting to the Federal Ministry of Transportation as the Director of Railway Transport Services at Headquarters, Abuja.
A member and fellow of several professional associations both locally and internationally, including MNSE, COREN, NIHT, FIICA, PDFA, FICEN, FIMC, FNIPE, FIIM, FCIMC, FCPSPD, FCIML, NIFPWA, ICMCI, and FAPDP, Finbarr Zirra has received numerous honorary awards and commendations for his contributions to engineering and project management, as well as his visionary and transformational leadership. Married with children, he embarked on a Jeruselem/Jordan (JP) Pilgrimage in 2022 and enjoys hobbies such as reading, football, table tennis, and golf.
ENGR. F.E. OKHIRIA
CHAIRMAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Engr. Freeborn Edetanlen Okhiria is the Managing Director of the NRC with the responsibility of providing leadership and strategic direction for the achievement of the vision of the Nigerian Railway Master plan. He is a professionally qualified Electrical Engineer with significant achievements in the field of Electrical, Mechanical, Signaling, Telecommunication, ICT, Installation, Maintenance and Repair of electrical equipment and rail transport since 1988
His extensive industry experience covers the design, development, installation and supervision of many multi-million naira projects from inception to completion.
Engr. Okhiria started his educational career from the Ujeolen Primary School, Ujeolon-Ekpoma 1967-1972, proceeded to Ujeolen Grammar School, Ujeolon Ekpoma, 1973-1977 and in 1979 – 1981 to Advance College, Igueben, Igueben Local Government Area, Edo State. He had his tertiary education in the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos where he obtained a B.Sc Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1985. He subsequently obtained specialized training in Public-Private-Partnership (PPP), Structuring PP Transaction (2012), Logistic and Transport Management (2004), Industrial Maintenance Management (1990).
Engr. Freeborn Edetanlen Okhiria is a Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Mechanical Engineering (FNIME), Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics (FCILT), Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria (FSM), Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), Member, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Member, Institute if Director (IOD), and Chartered Member, Nigeria Institute of Management.
He is happily married with children.