By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
Audu Ogbeh, a respected statesman and former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, passed away on August 9, 2025, at 78.
His family announced his peaceful death, saying, “He departed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service, and dedication to our nation and community.”
Audu Ogbeh was born on July 28, 1947, in Otukpo, Benue State. He earned a BA in French from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and later completed a Master’s Degree in French Literature at the University of Toulouse in France. He was a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University between 1972 and 1976 and later became the Head of the Language, Arts, and Social Sciences Department at Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology. He served in various roles, including: Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly (1979-1982), Federal Minister of Communications (1982-1983) under Shehu Shagari’s administration, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (2015-2019) under Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (2001-2005).
Audu Ogbeh was also a farmer and entrepreneur. He established rice mills, cashew plantations, poultry farms, and pineapple projects. He championed agricultural reforms and promoted food security.
He also wrote a play titled “Epitaph for Simon Kisulu”, addressing apartheid in South Africa. It was first published in 1984 and staged at Lagos’ Muson Centre in 2002.
Audu Ogbeh’s legacy includes his dedication to public service, agricultural development, and promoting integrity in governance. Tributes have been made from across Nigeria, with leaders praising his contributions to the nation’s progress.
