Joy Ogwu

Joy Uche Angela Ogwu (22 August 1946 – 13 October 2025) was a Nigerian politician and diplomat who served as foreign minister and as permanent representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (2008–2017).

Ogwu was the first woman to hold the post of permanent representative to the United Nations from Nigeria. Prior to her ministerial career, she served as director–general of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

She advised the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research on disarmament issues and published books promoting more African ties to Latin America. She was a chair of the board of trustees of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).

Ogwu was appointed foreign minister by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on 30 August 2006.

In 2008, Ogwu became the permanent representative of Nigeria to the UN in New York City. She was the president of the UN Security Council in July 2010 and in October 2011. She was the president of the executive board of the UN Women Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

She obtained her BA and MA in political science from Rutgers University. She later received her Ph.D. from the University...