Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu Biography

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu

Biography

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is a Nigerian politician, diplomat, and former beauty queen. Born on August 5, 1968, in Glasgow, Scotland, to Igbo parents from Enugu State, Nigeria.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, University of Nigeria (1988-1991)
• Master’s Degree in International Relations, University of Lagos (1992-1994)
• Ph.D. in International Relations, University of Abuja (2005-2010)

Career

• Beauty Pageant: Crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) in 1988
• Diplomatic Career: Served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain (2012-2015) and Argentina (2015-2017)
• Politics: Appointed as Senior Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Diaspora Affairs (2004-2007)
• Business: Founder, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Foundation (BOOF), focused on women empowerment and youth development
• Minister: Appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs by President Bola Tinubu (2023-present)

Achievements

• Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN): First Igbo woman to win the title (1988)
• Diaspora Icon Award: Recognized for contributions to diaspora affairs (2006)
• African Women of Excellence Award: Honored for leadership and community service (2014)
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Honors: Recognized for philanthropic work (2018)
• Order of the Federal Republic (OFR): Awarded Nigeria’s national honor for outstanding service (2020)

Publications

• “The Odyssey of a Diplomat” (memoir, 2019)
• “Nigeria and the Global Community” (research paper, 2015)

Community Service

• Chair, Board of Trustees, Igbo Women Assembly
• Patron, Nigerian Women in Politics
• Member, International Women’s Forum

Personal Life

Married to Late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, former Biafran leader, with three children.

Primary Education

• St. Teresa’s College, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria (1975-1981)

Secondary Education

• Federal Government Girls College, Abuloma, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria (1981-1986)

Tertiary Education

• University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (1988-1991)
• University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
  • Master of Arts in International Relations (1992-1994)
• University of Abuja, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
  • Ph.D. in International Relations (2005-2010)

Professional Certifications

• Diploma in French Language and Civilization, Alliance Française, Lagos (1991)
• Certificate in Diplomacy and International Relations, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (1993)

Honorary Degrees

• Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria (2015)
• Honorary Doctor of Science ((link unavailable)), Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria (2018)

Work Experience

• Ambassador, Nigeria to Spain (2012-2015)
• Ambassador, Nigeria to Argentina (2015-2017)
• Senior Special Assistant, Diaspora Affairs (2004-2007)
• Founder, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Foundation (BOOF)

Skills

• International Relations
• Diplomacy
• Community Development
• Leadership
• Public Speaking

Achievements

• Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 1988
• Diaspora Icon Award 2006
• African Women of Excellence Award 2014
• UNDP Honors 2018
• Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) 2020