Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a distinguished figure in Nigerian politics and the Minister of Science and Technology during President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, has died following a brief illness, at the age of 72.
Onu, who also served as the first civilian governor of Abia State, played a significant role in the country’s political landscape, including a bid for the presidency under the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections, which ultimately saw President Bola Tinubu clinch the nomination.
A native of Ohazara in Ebonyi State, Onu was a prominent member and leader of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) until its merger into the APC in 2013.
His tenure as Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, from November 2015 until his resignation in 2022, marked him as the longest-serving minister in the ministry, reflecting his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s scientific and technological frontiers.
