Nigeria is diverse – in tribe, in people and in “doings.” This post is about high-profiled Nigerians who have held (or currently holding) international positions. And why not? These individuals have risen beyond conditional odds to put Nigeria amongst the forefronts – to do Nigeria proud. As you’ll get to see, these persons are really filling some of the most prestigious positions across the world.

[1] Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Position: In March 2021, Madam Okonjo-Iweala began serving as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), becoming the first woman and first African to head the Organisation.

Previously, Dr Okonjo-Iweala was the Chair of the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and was also on the boards of Standard Chartered PLC and Twitter Inc.

Background: Outside Madam Okonjo’s numerous board positions plus achievements is her husband, Dr. Ikemba Iweala, who is a neurosurgeon. Her marriage is blessed with four children and three grandchildren.

[2] Amina J. Muhammed

Position: Ms. Amina J. is currently the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. She assumed office as deputy to Antonio Guterres on February, 2017.

Personal Life: Amina Mohammed had her primary education in Capital School, Kaduna. She’s a mother of six. Mohammed’s daughter, Nadine Ibrahim, is a Nigerian film director.

[3] Akinwumi A. Adesina.

Position: Dr. Akinwumi is currently the President of the African Development Bank Group. He was first elected to the position on May, 2015 and was re-elected in 2020. Prior to this, Akinwumi A. Adesina had also served as Nigeria’s minister of Agriculture and rural development from 2011 to 2015.

Personal Life: Akinwumi was the first student to be awarded a First Class Honors Bachelors in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University).

[4] Bola Adesola.

Bola Adesola is one of the two Vice-Chairs of the Board of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) appointed in April, 2018. She is also the Senior Vice-Chairman at Standard Chartered Bank Group, Africa.

[5] Tijjani Muhammad Bande.

Tijjani Muhammad was the 74th President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). His term lasted from September 2019 to September 2020.

[6] Chile Eboe-Osuji.

The judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) elected Chile Eboe-Osuji as President of the Court for a three-year term in March 2018.

[7] Bukar Tijani.

Mr. Bukar Tijani was the FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, from December 2013 to October 2018.

[8] Akin Mabogunje.

Akin Mabogunje, a geographer from Nigeria, held the distinction of being the first African president of the International Geographical Union (1980-1984). Additionally, in 1999, he became the first African to be elected as a Foreign Associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences. His accomplishments further include being elected as a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2017, along with receiving the esteemed Vautrin Lud Prize.

Abdulbasit Toriola

Abdulbasit Toriola is a versatile freelance writer. On this blog, he writes keenly about Nigeria and Nigerians who are breaking the odds. You can connect with him via any of the links below.