UN chief appoints Nigeria’s Ahunna Eziakonwa as special adviser on Africa

António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, has appointed Ahunna Eziakonwa, a Nigerian development expert, as his special adviser on Africa, placing her in one of the organisation’s key roles focused on the continent’s political, economic, and social development.

The appointment was announced in a statement released by the United Nations on Friday. Eziakonwa takes over from Cristina Duarte of Cabo Verde and brings decades of experience in humanitarian affairs, development policy and African leadership.

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Eziakonwa has served as the United Nations assistant secretary general, assistant administrator and director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the United Nations Development Programme since 2018. In that position, she has overseen the agency’s work across the continent, supporting efforts aimed at poverty reduction, economic growth and sustainable development.

Her career within the United Nations has spanned several senior roles, including serving as resident coordinator, humanitarian coordinator and UNDP resident representative in Ethiopia, Uganda and Lesotho.

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She also led the Africa section at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, where she directed humanitarian operations across 15 African countries.

In announcing her appointment, the United Nations highlighted Eziakonwa’s extensive experience in development, humanitarian response and engagement with governments and civil society organisations across Africa.

Before joining the United Nations, Eziakonwa worked with various African civil society organisations, building expertise in governance and community development.

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She holds a master’s degree in international affairs, specialising in African economic and political development, from Columbia University in New York, United States. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in Education in English and Literary Studies from the University of Benin in Nigeria.

Her appointment comes at a time when Africa faces pressing challenges, including economic pressures, climate threats and security concerns, with the United Nations seeking stronger partnerships to advance peace and sustainable development across the continent.