Dr Uzoma Emenike Becomes Nigeria’s First Female Ambassador To The US + 9 Things To Know About Her

Dr. Uzoma Emenike has been named by President Buhari as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to the United States making her the first female ambassador to hold the position.

Her appointment comes after the death of the former ambassador Justice Nsofor who died at age 85 in December 2020.

Before her new appointment, she currently serves as Nigeria’s ambassador to Ireland with concurrent accreditation to Iceland.

However, with her new role, she will be replaced by Obiezu Chinyerem at the embassy in Dublin.

Here are some facts about her.

1.Emenike received her education both locally and overseas. She is also a recipient of two bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees, and a doctorate.

2.Emenike, an indigene of Abia State holds a B.Sc. in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Maiduguri, and an LL.B. from the University of Reading in the UK.

3.She also earned a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and another master’s in International Management from the University of Reading.

4.Emenike capped her academic pursuit with a doctorate in International Relations, also from the University of Reading.

5. The 55-year-old joined the country’s foreign service over 30 years ago.

6.She first served in the Protocol Department and Africa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

7.Subsequently, she was posted to the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire in 1992, where she served for six years.

8.She was deployed to other departments of the Ministry, during which she represented Nigeria in numerous bilateral and multilateral missions, both at home and abroad upon her return to headquarters in Nigeria.

9.Dr. Emenike left the Foreign Service for the private sector in 2002 where, amongst others, she worked as a Management Consultant.

10.She is married to Ikechi Emenike, Buhari’s ally, and the union is blessed with four children.