Joy Ogwu dies at 79 in New York. Nigeria’s former Foreign Minister and UN envoy remembered for her global diplomacy and advocacy for human rights

Joy Ogwu dies at 79, leaving behind a legacy as one of Nigeria’s most respected diplomats and global advocates for peace, diplomacy, and human rights.

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Professor Joy Uche Angela Ogwu, former Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, passed away on Monday, 13 October 2025, at a hospital in New York, with her daughter by her side, family sources confirmed.

Born on 22 August 1946 in Delta State, Ogwu broke several glass ceilings in both academia and international diplomacy.

She served as Nigeria’s first female UN Ambassador from 2008 to 2017 and as Foreign Minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo from August 2006 to May 2007.

Before entering public service, Ogwu was already a force in academia. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Political Science from Rutgers University in New Jersey and completed her PhD at the University of Lagos in 1977.

Her career began as a lecturer and researcher, later becoming the first female Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

Throughout her illustrious career, Ogwu remained at the forefront of Nigeria’s foreign policy development. Her expertise in disarmament, international security, and South-South cooperation made her a key figure at the global level.

Notably, she presided over the UN Security Council twice, in July 2010 and October 2011, during Nigeria’s rotational membership.

She also served as President of the UN Women Executive Board and Chair of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research, cementing her reputation as a champion for peace and gender equality.

Beyond diplomacy, she passionately championed education and human rights.

Ogwu was a member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters, and she played a pivotal role in UNESCO-funded initiatives promoting civic and human rights education in Nigeria.

She was a prolific academic voice, authoring “Nigerian Foreign Policy: Alternative Futures” in 1986 and publishing widely on international affairs, security, and development.

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Tributes have already begun to pour in from across the globe, recognising her as a trailblazer, visionary thinker, and a model of integrity in public service.