30 Facts About Godwin Obasi

Godwin Olu Patrick Obasi was a Nigerian meteorologist and the secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization from 1984 to 2003.

Godwin Obasi was the first African to serve as the head of a UN agency.

Godwin Obasi served as a professor and dean at the University of Nairobi, where he advanced meteorological education.

Godwin Obasi joined the WMO in 1978 and was pivotal in promoting global climate agreements.

Godwin Obasi was honoured with numerous awards, including Nigeria Centenary Award.

Godwin Obasi is remembered as "Africa's gift to the world of climate science".

Godwin Olu Patrick Obasi was born on 24 December 1933, to Albert B Patrick Obasi and Rhoda A Akande, in Ogori, Kwara, Nigeria.

Godwin Obasi attended St Peter School in Ogori, and St Andrew School in Okene, Kogi State, for his early education.

Godwin Obasi then attended middle school in Okene, at today's Abdul Aziz Atta Memorial College.

Godwin Obasi afterwards transferred to the Barewa College in Zaria, where he was a classmate of Yakubu Gowon, a former head of state of Nigeria.

Godwin Obasi obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics with honours from McGill University, in 1959, and a Master of Science in Meteorology with distinction from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1960.

Godwin Obasi went on to obtain a Doctor of Science in Meteorology from MIT in 1963.

Godwin Obasi received the Carl-Gustaf Rossby Award for his thesis.

Godwin Obasi returned to Nigeria to become a senior meteorologist in charge of research and training at the Nigerian Meteorological Department from 1963 to 1967, and he was a senior meteorologist in charge of technical administration at the department's headquarters in Lagos from 1966 to 1967.

Godwin Obasi worked as an adviser in meteorology and assistant director for the Nigerian government from 1976 to 1978.

Godwin Obasi was the vice president of the Third World Academy of Sciences.

Godwin Obasi joined the WMO Secretariat in 1978 as the director of education and training.

Godwin Obasi organised the convening of the Second World Climate Conference in Geneva in 1990, following which the United Nations General Assembly created the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Godwin Obasi contributed to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification's formation.

Godwin Obasi served as the secretary-general of the WMO from 1984 to 2003.

Godwin Obasi was the first secretariat employee to be named secretary-general and the first African to serve as the head of a UN agency.

Godwin Obasi married Winifred O Akande on 1 October 1976, and they had six children.

Godwin Obasi died on 3 March 2007, in Abuja, Nigeria.

Godwin Obasi has been recognised for his significant contributions to climate science and is seen as "Africa's gift to the world of climate science".

Godwin Obasi was the subject of a memorial lecture at the Seventh Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2018, and another memorial lecture was held in his name in September 2021 at the Ninth Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa in Cabo Verde.

Godwin Obasi received several honours during his lifetime, including being elected as a fellow of the African Academy of Sciences in 1995, and a fellow of The World Academy of Sciences in 1996.

Godwin Obasi was elected and an Academician of the International Academy of Sciences of Nature and Society and the International Council for Science.

Godwin Obasi was awarded several honorary doctorate degrees, including a Doctor of Physics from the University Bucharest in 1991, Romania, and a Doctor of Laws from the University of the Philippines in 1992, a Doctor of Science from the Federal University of Technology Akure in 1992, Doctor of Science from the Alpine Geophysical Research Institute in 1993, and a Doctor of Science from the University of Nairobi in 1998.

Godwin Obasi was awarded the TWAS Medal Lecture in Earth Sciences in 2002, and Zayed International Prize for the Environment for Scientific and Technological Achievement in 2003.

Godwin Obasi was honoured with the Nigerian Order of the Federal Republic in 1983 and 2001, the Paraguayan Gold Medal in 1988, the Freedom of Ho Chi Minh City in 1990.