Amina J. Mohammed began her transition to the international stage by coordinating the Task Force on Gender and Education for the United Nations Millennium Project between 2002 and 2005. Since 2017, she has occupied the position of Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, overseeing critical global initiatives related to sustainable development, environmental policy, and humanitarian reform.
Early Background and Education
Born in Liverpool on 27 June 1961, Amina Jane Mohammed is the eldest of five daughters born to a Fulani Nigerian veterinarian and a British nurse. Her formative years included primary education in Kaduna and Maiduguri, Nigeria, followed by studies at The Buchan School on the Isle of Man. In 1989, she attended the Henley Management College, though she did not pursue a traditional bachelor's degree.
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Between 1981 and 1991, Mohammed gained experience at the architectural firm Archcon Nigeria, which operated in partnership with Norman and Dawbarn in the United Kingdom. In 1991, she founded the Afri-Projects Consortium, serving as its Executive Director for a decade. Later, she served as Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria, where she managed debt relief funds and designed a Virtual Poverty Fund to support the country's Millennium Development Goals.
Political and Ministerial Roles
Mohammed served as Nigeria's Federal Minister of the Environment from November 2015 until February 2017. Her mandate within President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet involved representing the nation on the African Union Reform Steering Committee. During this tenure, she faced accusations from advocacy groups regarding timber export permits, allegations the Nigerian government officially rejected. She resigned her post on 24 February 2017.
Diplomatic Contributions
Prior to her ministerial appointment, she functioned as Special Adviser to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 development planning, acting as a bridge between the General Assembly and high-level panels. Her academic engagement includes time as an adjunct professor at Columbia University. She maintains memberships in various organizations, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Africa Europe Foundation, and the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China.
Fast facts
- Born: 27 June 1961, Liverpool
- Citizenship: Nigeria; United Kingdom
- Religion: Islam
- Education: The Buchan School; Henley Business School; University of Reading
- Current Position: Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
- Former Position: Nigerian Minister of Environment (2015-2016)
- Languages: English, Hausa, Nigerian Pidgin
- Awards: Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (2022)
Questions readers ask
What is the Amina Mohammed Skills Acquisition Centre?
It is a facility located along the Gombe bye-pass, constructed by the Sustainable Development Goals project and the Government of Gombe to provide life-skills training and economic empowerment.
Is Amina J. Mohammed still in office?
Yes, she continues to serve as the 5th Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, a role she has held since 2017.
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