Information about her death was relayed from New York, United States, according to a top diplomat who spoke with Daily Sun.
The diplomatic community is mourning the loss of one of Nigeria’s most distinguished envoys, Professor Joy Ogwu, who passed away at the age of 79.
Information about her death was relayed from New York, United States, according to a top diplomat who spoke with Daily Sun.
Professor Ogwu, renowned for her tenure as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and her leadership as Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), was reported to have died of a cancer-related illness.
Ambassador Usman Sarki, former Nigerian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who served directly under her during her time in New York, expressed deep sorrow at the news.
“Today, we received the sad news of the passing away of the Permanent Representative (former), Professor Joy Ogwu,” he said.
“It is very sad. She was a very fine woman; she represented Nigeria to the best of her ability under very difficult circumstances,” Sarki added, describing Ogwu as “a very decent human being.”
“It is very sad, very unfortunate,” Sarki also said.
Born on August 22, 1946, Ogwu’s academic and professional career was marked by excellence and national service.
She earned both Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science from Rutgers University in New Jersey, United States, and later obtained a doctorate from the University of Lagos.
Before entering diplomatic service, Ogwu was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs on August 30, 2006, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Her appointment followed her impactful leadership at the NIIA, where she played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s foreign policy discourse.
On May 7, 2008, she was appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
During her tenure, Ogwu made history by presiding over the United Nations Security Council twice — first in July 2010 and again in October 2011.
Hailing from Delta State, Professor Ogwu was widely regarded as a trailblazer for women in international diplomacy, and her legacy as a public servant and intellectual continues to resonate across generations of Nigerian diplomats.
Her passing marks the end of an era for Nigeria’s foreign service, where her intellect, poise, and commitment to national service earned her deep respect at home and abroad.