The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has announced the appointment of Mr. Babatunde Ahonsi of Nigeria as the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkiye.
The appointment highlights Ahonsi’s impressive 26 years of experience in international development, both inside and outside the United Nations.
Ahonsi’s previous role as the UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone showcased his ability to effectively coordinate and facilitate the UN’s operational activities for development in the country.
His leadership skills were crucial in ensuring system-wide accountability on the ground for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, as well as coordinating UN support for Sierra Leone’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the UN Secretary General’s Prevention Agenda.
Prior to his appointment in Sierra Leone, Ahonsi served as the UN Resident Coordinator in China and held senior management positions with the Ford Foundation and Population Council, where he oversaw reproductive health, women’s empowerment, and youth development programmes and initiatives in West Africa and Nigeria.
With a BSc degree in Sociology from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and a Ph.D. in Population Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, England, Ahonsi brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role in Turkiye.