Amina Mohammed

Early Life and Background

Amina Jane Mohammed was born on June 27, 1961, in Liverpool, United Kingdom, to a Nigerian veterinarian father of Hausa-Fulani descent and a British mother. Her early life was shaped by a dual cultural heritage, spending her formative years in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria. This bicultural upbringing provided her with a unique perspective and adaptability that would later serve her well in her international career. She grew up in a household that valued education and public service, fostering an early interest in community development and societal improvement. Her family relocated to Nigeria where she continued her education and began to engage with the socio-economic challenges prevalent in the region, which undoubtedly influenced her future career path in development and policy.

Education

Amina Mohammed's educational journey began at primary schools in Kaduna and Maiduguri, Nigeria, and then proceeded to Buchan School in the Isle of Man, United Kingdom, where she completed her secondary education in 1979. Following her secondary schooling, she attended Henley Management College in the United Kingdom, where she pursued a diploma in social work. While she did not attend a traditional university, her practical education and early professional experiences laid a robust foundation for her subsequent roles. Her commitment to lifelong learning is evident in her continuous engagement with various development policy forums and leadership training programs throughout her career, equipping her with a deep understanding of complex global issues.

Career

Amina Mohammed's career commenced in 1981, when she began working with Archcon Nigeria, an architectural engineering firm, where she served as a project coordinator for various architectural design projects for over a decade, until 1991. From 1991 to 2001, she was the founder and CEO of the Afri-Projects Consortium, a multidisciplinary firm of engineers and quantity surveyors, where she oversaw various projects in the public sector. Her work in these early stages provided her with significant experience in project management, infrastructure development, and public-private partnerships.

Her transition into public service and international development began in 2002 when she was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In this capacity, she was instrumental in coordinating Nigeria's debt relief gains of US$1 billion per annum for the MDGs, designing and implementing a Virtual Poverty Fund. She served in this critical role for eight years, until 2005. During this period, she also established the Partnership for Sustainable Development, a non-governmental organization focused on poverty reduction and sustainable development, and served as its CEO for over a decade. Additionally, she was an Adjunct Professor for the Master’s in Development Practice program at Columbia University from 2012 to 2015.

From 2012 to 2014, Amina Mohammed served as the Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 Development Planning. In this role, she was a key architect in the process that led to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her leadership was crucial in bridging the gap between national priorities and global development frameworks.

In November 2015, she was appointed as the Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari. As Minister, she oversaw the country's environmental policies, including efforts to combat climate change, deforestation, and pollution. She played a significant role in Nigeria's commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and spearheaded initiatives to promote a green economy. She held this position until December 2016.

On January 1, 2017, Amina Mohammed assumed the role of Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, appointed by Secretary-General António Guterres. In this high-profile position, she is responsible for overseeing the UN's management reforms, strengthening its development system, and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. She chairs the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), bringing together 40 UN entities to deliver on the SDGs. Her work involves extensive international travel and engagement with heads of state, civil society, and the private sector to foster global cooperation on pressing issues.

Major Achievements

Mohammed's career is marked by several significant achievements. Her most notable contribution is her pivotal role in the development and adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and subsequently the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General, she was instrumental in mobilizing global consensus and shaping the transformative 2030 Agenda, which now guides international development efforts. Her work in Nigeria on the MDGs, particularly the Virtual Poverty Fund, demonstrated an innovative approach to channeling debt relief funds directly towards poverty eradication programs.

As Nigeria's Minister of Environment, she successfully advocated for the ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and initiated several environmental protection programs, including the clean-up of Ogoniland. In her current role as UN Deputy Secretary-General, she has been a leading voice for gender equality, climate action, and human rights. She has spearheaded reforms within the UN system to make it more efficient, transparent, and accountable, particularly in delivering on its development mandate. Her efforts have significantly strengthened the UN's capacity to address complex global challenges and foster multilateralism.

Personal Life

Amina Mohammed is married and has six children. She maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing her public persona on her extensive professional commitments. Her family often accompanies her to various public engagements, reflecting a balance between her demanding career and personal responsibilities. She is known for her dedication to her family and her strong ethical principles, which guide her professional conduct.

Legacy

Amina Mohammed's legacy is profoundly tied to her unwavering commitment to sustainable development and her role in shaping global development agendas. She is regarded as a champion for the poor, a powerful advocate for women's empowerment, and a leading voice in the fight against climate change. Her ability to bridge the gap between national and international policies, coupled with her diplomatic skills, has earned her immense respect on the global stage. She has demonstrated that effective leadership, combined with a deep understanding of complex issues, can drive significant progress towards a more equitable and sustainable world. Her career serves as an inspiration for future generations of leaders, particularly women and those from developing nations, to engage in global governance and make a tangible impact on humanity's most pressing challenges.

Controversies

While Amina Mohammed's career has been largely lauded, she faced some scrutiny during her tenure as Nigeria's Minister of Environment. In 2017, allegations emerged regarding her involvement in an illegal timber export scheme involving protected rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus) from Nigeria, which was reported by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). The EIA alleged that Nigeria's CITES permit system was exploited, and that Mohammed, as minister, had approved permits for the export of illegally logged timber. Mohammed vehemently denied the allegations, stating that the permits were issued before her appointment as minister and that she had acted to suspend such exports upon discovering the discrepancies. The Nigerian government also defended her, asserting that she had inherited a problematic system and had taken corrective measures. Another minor point of discussion arose around her decision to step down as Minister of Environment to take up the UN Deputy Secretary-General role, with some critics suggesting she should have seen through certain domestic policies. However, these instances have largely been overshadowed by her extensive and impactful contributions to global development and diplomacy.