The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Nigerian diplomat Ahunna Eziakonwa as his Special Adviser on Africa, the global body announced on Friday.
Eziakonwa Succeeds Cristina Duarte
Eziakonwa succeeds Cristina Duarte of Cabo Verde and brings nearly three decades of experience within the United Nations system to the role. She currently serves as Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where she oversees development support across 46 African countries.
Key Role in Shaping Development Strategies
According to the UN, Eziakonwa has played a key role in shaping the agency’s economic and political development strategies across the continent since 2018, while supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“Since 2018, she has helped shape UNDP’s strategic approach to economic and political development across the continent,” the statement added.
Extensive Career in Humanitarian Operations
Her career has included senior assignments as UN Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Ethiopia, Uganda and Lesotho. She also led humanitarian operations across 15 African countries as Chief of the Africa Section at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in New York.
Eziakonwa previously held positions in Liberia and Sierra Leone and worked with the UN Departments of Peacekeeping Operations, Political Affairs and Public Information.
Educational Background and Languages
She holds a master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University in New York and a bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy, English and Literary Studies from the University of Benin, Nigeria. In addition to English and Igbo, she speaks fluent Yoruba and has a working knowledge of French.
