Her Excellency, Dame Sen. Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, DSSRS, is a distinguished Nigerian senator representing the Rivers West Senatorial District in Rivers State and a healthcare expert. She has served meritoriously in both the public and private sectors in numerous roles, including Director of Public Health Services, Acting Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Government, and Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. Notably, she was the first female Head of Civil Service in Rivers State and later became the first female Deputy Governor of the state in 2015, serving two consecutive terms.

Her roles have also extended to the private sector, where she has served as a Public Health Adviser to Shell Petroleum Development Company. Senator Banigo has also contributed to academic and healthcare institutions, serving on the governing boards of the University of Calabar and the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital.

She is currently a sitting senator representing Rivers West and is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health. Her numerous accolades include the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State, the Lifetime Achievement Award for Dermatology, Public Health, and Political Leadership, and the Nigerian Most Distinguished and Loyal Deputy Governor Award by Tell Magazine. She is also an honored Ambassador of Jesus Christ by the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion.