Pius Nsabe
Joy Uche Angela Ogwu, OFR (born August 22, 1946), is one of Nigeria’s most distinguished diplomats, academics, and public servants. A trailblazer in multiple fields, she made history as Nigeria’s first female Minister of Foreign Affairs (2006–2007) and later as Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2008–2017). During her tenure at the UN, she twice presided over the Security Council—in July 2010 and October 2011—cementing her status as a global stateswoman.
Her career is equally remarkable in academia. She became the first female Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), where she played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s intellectual and policy engagement with world affairs. A prolific writer, Ogwu authored Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Alternative Futures (1986), a widely used textbook, and contributed significantly to literature on Africa’s international relations, including works such as Africa and Latin America: Perspectives and Challenges and New Horizons for Nigeria in World Affairs (2005).
Internationally, Ogwu’s leadership extended to advisory roles at the United Nations, where she was the first African woman to chair the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters. She was also deeply involved in policy consultations that bridged Nigeria’s foreign relations with pressing global issues of peace, security, and sustainable development.
Educated at Rutgers University (BA, MA in Political Science) and the University of Lagos (Ph.D.), Ogwu has consistently championed scholarship, diplomacy, and mentorship. Her legacy is not only defined by her groundbreaking achievements but also by her dedication to elevating Nigeria’s role on the global stage.
For more on her inspiring journey, readers can explore her autobiographical eBook available on HerStory International via this link: A Story of Joy Ogwu.