Ahunna Eziakonwa appointment announced by UN chief António Guterres as Nigerian development leader becomes Special Adviser on Africa

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Ahunna Eziakonwa as Special Adviser on Africa, entrusting the Nigerian diplomat and development expert with one of the organisation’s most influential advisory positions on the continent.

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The appointment was announced on Friday in a statement issued by the United Nations, which said Eziakonwa succeeds Cristina Duarte of Cabo Verde.

Guterres expressed appreciation for Duarte’s contributions, thanking her for her commitment and dedicated service to the organisation during her tenure.

The Ahunna Eziakonwa Appointment brings nearly three decades of United Nations leadership experience to the role, reflecting a career that has spanned humanitarian affairs, development policy, governance and international diplomacy across Africa.

Eziakonwa currently serves as Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the United Nations Development Programme.

In that capacity, she oversees the organisation’s support to 46 African countries as they pursue the goals outlined in Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 framework.

According to the UN, Eziakonwa has played a central role in shaping the UNDP’s strategic approach to economic and political development across Africa since 2018.

Her experience extends across multiple areas of UN operations on the continent.

She previously served as United Nations Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Ethiopia, Uganda and Lesotho, where she led efforts involving humanitarian response, development planning and political engagement.

The Nigerian diplomat also served as Chief of the Africa Section at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in New York, overseeing humanitarian operations across 15 African countries.

Earlier assignments included senior positions in Liberia and Sierra Leone during critical periods in both countries’ post-conflict recovery efforts.

At UN Headquarters, Eziakonwa contributed to peacekeeping operations, political analysis and strategic communications concerning Africa through her work with the UN Departments of Peacekeeping Operations, Political Affairs and Public Information.

Before joining the United Nations, she worked with several civil society organisations across Africa, building experience in development advocacy and community engagement.

Academically, Eziakonwa holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University, specialising in African economic and political development.

She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pedagogy, English and Literary Studies from University of Benin.

In addition to her native Igbo and English languages, Eziakonwa speaks fluent Yoruba and possesses a working knowledge of French.

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The appointment places another Nigerian in a prominent international leadership position and is expected to strengthen the United Nations’ engagement on development, governance and sustainable growth issues across Africa.