Prof. Joy Ogwu, Former Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Dies At 79

Nigeria mourns the passing of Prof. Joy Uche Angela Ogwu, a distinguished diplomat and scholar, who died at 79 in New York. Family sources told the Nigeria Television Authority that she passed away in the early hours of Monday at a hospital, with her daughter present.

Born on August 22, 1946, in Delta State, Prof. Ogwu had a long and impactful career in academia, research, and diplomacy. She served as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo and later became the country’s first female Permanent Representative to the United Nations, serving from 2008 to 2017.

Prior to her government roles, she led the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) as Director-General, earning recognition for her expertise in international relations, disarmament, and Nigeria’s foreign policy. Her legacy has left a lasting mark on the nation’s diplomatic efforts and global presence.