[4] A member of the Fang ethnic group,[5] born in Lambaréné,[2] Nan Nguéma studied in Paris and obtained a Ph.D. in economics; he also received degrees in political science and business and public administration.
Later, in 1968, Nan Nguéma was appointed as Gabon's permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, and he began working as an executive at the French oil company Elf Aquitaine in November 1970.
[6] He also worked as the deputy director-general of Elf Gabon prior to 1990[7][8][9] and was an adviser to Gabonese President Omar Bongo[10][11] until 1990.
[16] Nan Nguéma was arrested on 29 November 2004[17] for illegal arms possession after assault rifles were allegedly found buried at his property in Port-Gentil.
[18] According to Nan Nguéma and his lawyer, the weapons were legally obtained for protection during the turbulent political struggle of the early 1990s and he had no intent to use them aggressively.