Ex-foreign affairs minister Joy Ogwu dies at 79

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Joy Angela Ogwu, has died at the age of 79. Ogwu, who represented Nigeria at the UN from May 2008 to May 2017, was a distinguished diplomat and scholar whose illustrious career spanned academia, diplomacy, and public service. She twice served as […]

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Joy Angela Ogwu, has died at the age of 79.

Ogwu, who represented Nigeria at the UN from May 2008 to May 2017, was a distinguished diplomat and scholar whose illustrious career spanned academia, diplomacy, and public service.

She twice served as President of the UN Security Council — first in July 2010 and again in October 2011 — where she championed global peace, disarmament, and international cooperation.

Before her diplomatic posting, Ogwu was Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), where she played a key role in shaping Nigeria’s foreign policy and advancing the study of international relations.

President Bola Tinubu, in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described her death as a great national loss.

“Nigeria has lost a trailblazer who rose to the highest level of her vocation through excellence and hard work,” Tinubu said.

He praised her for projecting Nigeria’s voice “with clarity and purpose” and for her commitment to global peace, disarmament, and the advancement of women’s rights.

The president extended condolences to her family, including her children, grandchildren, and siblings, as well as to the diplomatic and academic communities.