Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh,From the classroom to the cabinet, from the farm to party leadership, Ogbeh’s decades of service leave an indelible mark on politics, agriculture, and national unity.
Nigeria has lost one of its most accomplished statesmen as Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and ex-National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 9, 2025. He was 78.
The announcement came in a heartfelt statement from his family, who described him as “a beloved husband, father, and grandfather” who “departed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service, and dedication to our nation and community.” They expressed gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and support while requesting privacy during this period of mourning. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Born on July 28, 1947, in Otukpo, Benue State, Ogbeh’s journey reflected a rare blend of intellect, political leadership, and agricultural enterprise. A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (BA, French) and the University of Toulouse, France (Master of Letters in French Literature), he began his career as a lecturer before venturing into politics.
He served as Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly in the Second Republic before he was appointed Minister of Communications in 1982 and Minister of Steel Development in 1983 under President Shehu Shagari. Following the 1983 military coup, Ogbeh returned to his agricultural roots, establishing large-scale cashew plantations, rice mills, and poultry farms while consulting on agricultural projects nationwide.
In 2001, Ogbeh rose to national prominence as the PDP National Chairman, where he worked to maintain party cohesion during turbulent political times. Years later, in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. His tenure saw significant reforms—removing rice from the import list, boosting agricultural exports by over 77%, restructuring the Bank of Agriculture to favor smallholder farmers, and positioning Nigeria as West Africa’s largest seed producer.
Beyond politics and farming, Ogbeh was a man of letters, authoring plays such as Epitaph for Simon Kisulu, and earning honors including the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) and an honorary doctorate. He was also an Eisenhower Fellow.
Tributes from across the political spectrum have poured in, celebrating his integrity, pragmatic leadership, and unwavering commitment to national development. Chief Ogbeh’s life stands as a testament to service, scholarship, and the soil, three pillars that defined his journey and will continue to inspire generations to come.
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