His father worked for Lago Oil and Transport Company and his mother took care of the children.

In 1967, Oduber got the opportunity to move to the Netherlands on a study assignment and lived in Tilburg.

following the successful completion of his studies abroad, Oduber resumed his job as a civil servant in at the Department of Legal Affairs, Oduber entered politics in 1989 joining the People's Electoral Movement and went on to win the 1989 Aruban general election.

Oduber's tenure as prime minister was plagued with his decision to cancel Aruba's exit from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which subsequently led to his party's defeat in the 1994 Aruban general election.

following the 2001 Aruban general election Oduber's party gained back its majority in parliament and subsequently formed a new government.