Ekren graduated in economics from the Bursa Academy of Economics and Finance (Iktisadi ve Ticari Ilimler Akdemisi), and then received a Masters degree and Doctor of Philosophy from Uludağ University in Bursa, going on to a career as an academic in the field of economics at Marmara University in Istanbul.
He was appointed to his position in August 2007, succeeding Abdüllatif Şener. Ekren is a former professor of banking and international finance. He was elected to the parliament in 2007 as deputy of Istanbul Province.
Nazım Ekren was appointed Deputy Prime Minister, responsible for coordinating economic affairs and for the management of:
State Planning Organization (Turkey) (DPT)
Turkish Statistical Institute (DİEast)
Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) for regional development.
Ekren was also responsible for relations with:
the state-owned banks: Ziraat Bank, Halk Bankası, Türkiye Kalkınma Bankası, and Financial Markets Board (SPK). Board of Banking Control and Inspection
Saving Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF).
Ekren was a founding member of Tayyip Erdoğan"s Justice and Development Party (AKP).
