By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has appointed seasoned Nigerian development professional, Ahunna Eziakonwa, as his Special Adviser on Africa, entrusting her with a key role in advancing the organisation’s engagement with the continent.
Eziakonwa takes over from Cristina Duarte of Cabo Verde, whose contributions to the UN were commended by the Secretary-General.
A respected figure within the UN system, Eziakonwa brings decades of experience in development, humanitarian response and international diplomacy to the position.
She currently serves as Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where she leads programmes supporting development initiatives across 46 African countries.
Her work has focused on helping African nations pursue the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s long-term development blueprint, Agenda 2063.
Since assuming her current UNDP role in 2018, Eziakonwa has been at the forefront of efforts aimed at promoting inclusive growth, strengthening governance institutions and expanding development opportunities across the continent.
Over the years, she has held several high-level assignments within the UN, including serving as Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Ethiopia, Uganda and Lesotho. In those capacities, she coordinated development programmes, humanitarian interventions and engagement with national governments and stakeholders.
Her career also includes a stint as Head of the Africa Section at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in New York, where she supervised humanitarian operations in multiple African countries.
Eziakonwa previously worked in Liberia and Sierra Leone during crucial periods of recovery and institution-building, contributing to the UN’s efforts in supporting stability and development.
At the UN headquarters, she played various roles in peacekeeping, political affairs and strategic communications, helping shape policies and initiatives relating to Africa.
Before joining the global body, she was actively involved in civil society work across the continent, gaining valuable grassroots experience in development and advocacy.
Academically, she holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University, New York, with a concentration in African political and economic development. She also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy, English and Literary Studies from the University of Benin.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Eziakonwa is multilingual, speaking Igbo, English and Yoruba fluently, while also possessing a working knowledge of French.
Her appointment is seen as a significant recognition of Nigerian expertise within the international system and is expected to further strengthen the UN’s partnership with Africa in addressing development challenges and advancing sustainable progress.
