From her humble beginnings to becoming the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, Amina J. Mohammed’s journey has been nothing short of inspiration to coming generations of magnificent women and transformation into a global pride. On today’s edition of Magnificent Woman, we delve into the remarkable life and career of Amina J. Mohammed, a true advocate for sustainable development and diplomacy.
Born on June 27, 1961, in Liverpool, England, Amina Jane Mohammed is the eldest of five daughters to a Hausa-Fulani Nigerian veterinarian-officer and a British nurse. Her early education took her to primary schools in Kaduna and Maiduguri, Nigeria, before continuing her studies at Buchan School on the Isle of Man. Amina’s thirst for knowledge led her to Henley Management College in 1989, where she honed her skills before her father called her back to Nigeria to make her mark on her home country.
Amina J. Mohammed’s professional journey began in the architectural design field with Archcon Nigeria, in association with Norman and Dawbarn United Kingdom, between 1981 and 1991. Her passion for development and community empowerment then led her to establish Afri-Projects Consortium in 1991, where she served as Executive Director until 2001.
Her dedication to social issues and gender equality brought her to the United Nations Millennium Project as the coordinator for the Task Force on Gender and Education from 2002 to 2005. Subsequently, she acted as the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), where she played a pivotal role in coordinating Nigeria’s debt relief funds to achieve the MDGs.
Amina J. Mohammed’s expertise and dedication were further recognized when she became the Founder and CEO of the Center for Development Policy Solutions. During this time, she also served as an Adjunct Professor for the Master’s in Development Practice program at Columbia University. Her contributions to the global development agenda earned her a seat on numerous international advisory boards and panels, including the UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Independent Expert Advisory Group on the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development.
In November 2015, Amina Mohammed assumed the role of the Federal Minister of Environment in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari. During her tenure, she was Nigeria’s representative in the African Union Reform Steering Committee, chaired by Paul Kagame. Amina Mohammed played a crucial role in Nigeria’s efforts to address climate change and protect the environment, earning her global recognition for her commitment to sustainable development.
In January 2017, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Amina J. Mohammed as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. In this prestigious role, she has been instrumental in various international initiatives, including serving as a member of the UN Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance and in countering the lobby of terrorism. As the Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, Amina Mohammed has been at the forefront of advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
