Born in Akanu Ohafia, Abia State, in July 1941, Chief Ole Uduma Ikpa attended Church of Scotland Mission Primary School in Ukpacha, Akanu Ohafia, and Hope Waddell Training Institution in Calabar. He excelled in academics and sports.

At Hope Waddell, from 1955 to 1959, he played cricket, equalled the school pole vault record and enjoyed lawn and table tennis. He remained fond of both tennis games throughout his life.

After what he called “failed attempts” at a military career, he moved to England in 1962. There he completed his A levels and qualified as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor.

Back in Nigeria, he founded O.U. Ikpa & Partners. His quantity surveying work contributed to major projects including the Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation and Lagos House, Alausa.

He retired from quantity surveying in 2015 and returned to Akanu Ohafia in 2016. He served in the Hope Waddell Old Students Association, founded Concerned Akanu Ohafia Citizens, and later chaired Gbeniaso (GAEFA). His paternal compound (Ezi) of Nde Ochea Ole conferred on him the title Omereoha I; he was also crowned Ezie Eziukwu in Ekeluogo Section of Akanu Ohafia in 2025.

A father of five and grandfather of twelve, he remains a source of stories, wisdom and warmth for family and friends.