Lionel Aingimea

Aingimea was born in September 1965 into the Deiboe tribe.^[2] He studied law in Australia and subsequently worked for the Regional Rights Resource Team NGO,^[6] and as a public defender in the Marshall Islands.^[7] He later worked as a lecturer in law at the University of the South Pacific.^[7] On 20 December 1985, Aingemea married Ingrid Engar.^[8]

Aingimea ran for election to Parliament in the Meneng constituency in 2013, but failed to be elected. Following the elections, he joined the new administration of President Baron Waqa as Secretary for Justice.^[6][7]

After successfully contesting the Meneng seat in the 2016 elections, he was appointed Assistant Minister for Justice and Border Control in Waqa's government,^[6] serving under Minister for Justice David Adeang. He was re-elected in the 2019 elections, which saw Waqa lose his seat. Following the elections, he was elected President by Parliament, defeating Adeang by twelve votes to six.^[9]

After Russ Kun's election as president, on 28 September 2022, Aingimea began serving as Deputy Speaker under Speaker Marcus Stephen.^[5]he was replaced in October 2025 by Isabella Dageago after the 2025 election.

After President David Adeang was sworn in on 30 October 2023, Aingimea was made Minister for Justice, Foreign Affairs, the Nauru Police Force, Nauru Port, Nauru Shipping Line and Minister Assisting the President.^[10]

Following a constitutional reform, Aingimea was appointed as the inaugural Vice President of Nauru by President David Adeang.^[11]