In a history making week when Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first-ever African American and Asian American female Vice President of the United States, Nigeria was also recording a historic first for a female public servant
The Muhammadu Buhari administration has recorded a feat with the appointment of Uzoma Emenike as Nigeria’s first female Ambassador to the United States.
She is among the 52 non-career and 43 career ambassadors whose deployment was recently approved by the president.
This comes six months after the National Assembly’s confirmation of the list of ambassadors-designate submitted by the President.
Until her recent appointment, Emenike, who hails from Umukabia-Ohuhu in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia, was Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland and Iceland.
Over the course of her career, Emenike’s drive for excellence shines through, so much so that she was rated among the best performing ambassadors.
This informed why the President submitted her name for reappointment last year, even though some others who were appointed at the same time with her were dropped.
With her recent appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Emenike now takes over from the late Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, who died last December at the age of 83.
Being the first female to be in that position, Emenike has no doubt, set a new standard, with analysts noting that her appointment has changed the landscape for Nigerian female diplomats.
Emenike joined the Nigeria Foreign Service about 30 years ago. She served in Protocol Department and Africa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From there, she was posted to the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire in 1992, where she served for six years.
On her return to Nigeria, Emenike was deployed to other departments of the Ministry and served meritoriously. During this time, she represented Nigeria in numerous bilateral and multilateral missions, locally and internationally.
A retired career diplomat, Emenike holds a PhD in International Diplomacy from the University of Reading, United Kingdom, alongside four other degrees – two masters (Diplomacy and MBA); LLB, and a Bachelor.
They include a B.Sc, Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, and an LL.B from the University of Reading in the UK while her Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy was from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
She also obtained another Master’s in International Management from University of Reading, U.K., She has certificates in French and Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy, Nigerian Diplomatic Service Academy.
Emenike is also an author. Her published articles include: “The AFRICA We Envisage in 50 Years Time” and “Europe Needs Africa.”
She also wrote a book on Nigerian diplomacy, entitled, “Africa: The Centre-Piece of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy (2015).”
Interestingly, when she met the Irish President, Michael D. Higgins, a few years ago for her swearing-in ceremony in Dublin, he told her then he had read her book.
On the home front, Emenike is married to Ikechi Emenike, a brilliant economist and highly successful entrepreneur, and they are blessed with four children.
Those close to her say she is compassionate, but firm and dedicated to getting things done the right way.
Having worked in several missions abroad before retiring from the public service, Emenike brings a wealth of experience to the office.
Her appointment is seen as one that would further deepen bilateral relations and trade between the U.S. and Nigeria.