Ex-Foreign Affairs Minister Joy Ogwu is Dead

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

According to reports by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), family sources confirmed that the distinguished diplomat passed away in the early hours of Monday at a hospital in New York, United States, with her daughter by her bedside.

Born on August 22, 1946, in Delta State, Prof. Ogwu’s career reflected a lifetime of excellence in academia, foreign policy, and international diplomacy.

She served as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs between August 2006 and May 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, becoming one of the few women to hold the prestigious position at the time.

In 2008, she was appointed as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a role she held with distinction until 2017. Her appointment made her the first Nigerian woman to occupy that post in the country’s diplomatic history.

Before her ministerial tenure, Prof. Ogwu had already built a formidable reputation in policy research and academia. She served as Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), where she played a critical role in shaping Nigeria’s foreign policy discourse.

Her academic and professional work focused on international relations, disarmament, and security policy, and she was widely respected for her deep understanding of Nigeria’s place in global affairs.

During her time at the UN, Prof. Ogwu represented Nigeria on the United Nations Security Council and served as President of the Security Council during Nigeria’s tenure, a role that earned her respect for her diplomacy, tact, and commitment to peacebuilding across Africa and the world.

Beyond her diplomatic career, Prof. Ogwu was a respected scholar and mentor. She taught at the University of Lagos and NIIA, influencing a generation of diplomats, policy analysts, and international affairs scholars.

Her publications and lectures on Africa’s foreign policy and global governance have been widely cited and remain relevant in academic and policy circles.

As news of her death spread, tributes began pouring in from across Nigeria’s diplomatic and academic communities.

A senior diplomat who worked closely with her at the NIIA described her as “a rare blend of intellect, elegance, and patriotism.”

“Professor Ogwu was one of Nigeria’s most brilliant voices in international diplomacy. Her poise, intellect, and commitment to Africa’s global representation remain unmatched,” the source said.

Others recalled her role in advancing women’s representation in foreign affairs, noting that her success opened doors for more women to rise within Nigeria’s diplomatic corps.

Prof. Ogwu’s passing marks the end of an era for Nigeria’s foreign service. Her lifelong commitment to national service, academic excellence, and global peace will be remembered as part of Nigeria’s diplomatic legacy.

She is survived by her children and grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.

“Nigeria has lost one of its finest minds,” said a former colleague. “But her work and influence will live on in every young diplomat inspired by her example.”