United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Ahunna Eziakonwa as his new Special Adviser on Africa, a role that places her at the centre of the UN’s engagement with African governments and institutions. She succeeds Cristina Duarte of Cabo Verde.
Gatekeepers News reports that the appointment was announced by the United Nations on Friday. Eziakonwa brings nearly three decades of experience within the UN system and is widely regarded as one of the organisation’s most senior African development experts.
Before her latest appointment, she served as Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the United Nations Development Programme, where she oversaw programmes across 46 African countries.
Over the course of her career, Eziakonwa has held several high-profile positions, including UN Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Ethiopia, Uganda and Lesotho. She also led humanitarian operations across 15 African countries while serving as Chief of the Africa Section at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
A graduate of University of Benin, where she studied English and Literary Studies, Eziakonwa later earned a master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University with a focus on African economic and political development. Before joining the UN, she worked with several African civil society organisations.
Her appointment has been welcomed as another significant milestone for Nigeria’s representation in international diplomacy and development leadership, reflecting the country’s continued presence in key positions within the United Nations system.
