The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, FCVSN, last Thursday, 14th of August, 2025, led his management team on a condolence visit to the family of the late Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh, OFR at his residence in Abuja to condole them and pay his final respect to the deceased.
Until his death, Late Chief Ogbeh, served as the Chancellor-Designate of the Proposed Legend Metropolitan University Abuja, and will be remembered for his significant contributions to many sectors such as agriculture, education, politics and the wider community.
The visit by the Executive Secretary underscores the NUC’s commitment to honouring the legacies of distinguished individuals who have positively impacted Nigeria’s educational landscape and beyond.
The heartfelt gesture demonstrates the respect and recognition given to those who have worked tirelessly towards the positive growth and advancement of our great country especially in education sector.
It would be recalled that Audu Innocent Ogbeh OFR, was born on 28 July 1947, in present-day Benue State. He was of Idoma background. He attended King’s College, Lagos from 1967 to 1969, then studied at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria from 1969 to 1972 and the University of Toulouse, France from 1973 to 1974. He lectured at the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1972 to 1976, and headed the department of humanities, Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology from 1977 to 1979.
He was also a Nigerian farmer, playwright and politician who served as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2015 to 2019. He was Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2001 until January 2005. He served as the Minister of Communications in the Nigerian Second Republic from 1982 to 1983. He was known for his literary works, and has written five plays which include three published works. One of his plays, the Epitaph of Simon Kisulu was staged at Muson Center in 2002.
His political sojourn began in 1979, when he ran for office in the Benue State House of Assembly on the Platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), becoming deputy speaker of the house. In 1982, he was appointed Federal Minister of Communications, and later became Minister of Steel Development. His term of office ended in December 1983, when a military coup brought Major-General Muhammadu Buhari to power.
On 11 November 2001, Chief Ogbeh was appointed National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), replacing Chief Barnabas Gemade and in December 2005, he formally resigned from the PDP.
As of 2009, he was Chairman and Managing Director, Efugo Farms, Makurdi, and a member of Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships Incorporated, based in Philadelphia, United States of America.
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