Meet Nigerian-born woman appointed New Jersey lieutenant governor

Governor Mikie Sherrill holds press conference appointing Shirley U. Emehelu as New Jersey’s next Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State while in the media room of the statehouse in Trenton, N.J. on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (Office of Governor / Tim Larsen)

Nigerian-born American lawyer, Shirley Emehelu, has been appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey in the United States, making her the first immigrant to occupy the position in the state’s history.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced Emehelu’s appointment on Monday, November 9, 2026, saying the selection marked the first time the state’s two highest executive offices would be occupied by women.

Emehelu, who also retains her position as Secretary of State, assumed office on Monday following the appointment. 

She succeeds Dale Caldwell, who resigned in September.

In a statement shared by the New Jersey Governor’s Office announcing the appointment, Sherrill said Emehelu had demonstrated commitment to public service through her work in prosecuting financial fraud, tackling government waste and abuse, defending civil rights and protecting consumers.

“Shirley embodies those values,” the governor said, describing her as a leader committed to accountability and serving New Jersey residents.

Emehelu said she was honoured by the appointment and pledged to bring her experience in public service to the new role.

“I’ve spent my career upholding the law, protecting families, and rooting out fraud, abuse, and corruption,” she said.

She added that she would focus on lowering costs, expanding opportunities and ensuring that government delivered for residents.

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Emehelu was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States at the age of three. 

She initially lived in Chicago before relocating to Pittsburgh.

She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School.

According to her profile, Emehelu worked as an Assistant United States Attorney from 2010 to 2019, prosecuting cases involving financial fraud. 

She also served as Chief of Asset Recovery and Anti-Money Laundering at the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

She joined New Jersey’s state government in 2022 as Executive Assistant Attorney General, the third-highest-ranking official in the state’s Attorney General’s Office.

In January 2026, she joined the Sherrill administration as Acting State Comptroller, where she led efforts to tackle fraud, waste and abuse and protect public funds.

She subsequently became Acting Secretary of State in September 2026, taking responsibility for overseeing the state’s electoral administration before her appointment as lieutenant governor.