Eloi Ferreira de Araújo (born 15 June 1959) is a Brazilian zoologist and lawyer.

He graduated with a degree in zootechnics from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro in 1975.

[2] In 1987, he moved to Brasília, where he became chief of staff to federal deputy Edmilson Valentim [pt].

He returned to Rio de Janeiro in 1989 to become chief of staff to city councilor Edson Santos during his time with the municipal chamber.

After Santos resigned to run for public office in 2010, Ferreira assumed the ministerial position until the end of the first Lula administration.