Bianca Ojukwu: From Pageantry To International Relations, She Continues to Make Her Mark

The sixth child of former Anambra governor Christian Onoh, Bianca Ojukwu was destined to be in the spotlight. She began her tertiary education with a combined honours degree in Politics, Economics and Law at the University of Buckingham, but transferred to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to focus on Law.

Bianca recorded stellar achievements in pageantry, some of which were the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 1988 and Miss Africa in 1989. That same year, Bianca gained even more national and media attention when it was revealed that she was dating former Biafran president, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, a political associate of her father, over thirty years her senior.

Their controversial romance was a national talking point in the early 1990s, with many disapproving of the relationship. Although the controversy caused a strain on her, she still married the former Biafran president in a lavish wedding ceremony held in Abuja in 1994.

Bianca later toed the lines of Diplomacy and International Relations as she was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs by President Goodluck Jonathan. In 2012, she became Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana and later became Ambassador to the Kingdom Of Spain in 2016.

Now Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Bianca Ojukwu is revered for her efforts towards providing effective platforms for the constructive engagement between Nigeria and Spain, earning her the honour of the Certificate of Merit by El Mundo Diplomatico. She’s also the brain behind the cosmetic company Bianca Blend and interior decorating outfit Mirabella.

Bianca Ojukwu is featured in Azuh Arinze’s Encounters – Lessons From My Journalism Career, which chronicles the experiences of the author throughout his career.

Through this book, Azuh Arinze allows readers to examine 20 years’ worth of journalistic experience in 60 captivating chapters, highlighting some of his encounters with industry heavyweights.

Azuh Arinze, who is the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of ‘Yes International!’ served as the Editor of Encomium Weekly from 2003 to 2011.