Former Nigerian Ambassador AbdulAzeez Dies At 71, Nation Mourns Veteran Diplomat

A former Nigerian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China and retired senior intelligence officer of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Sheikh Uthman AbdulAzeez, has passed away.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

AbdulAzeez died on Saturday night after a brief illness at the age of 71.

The passing of the Ilorin-born diplomat, who also served as a former National President of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), was confirmed on Sunday by the current IEDPU President, Alhaji AbdulMumin AbdulMalik.

Announcing the death, AbdulMalik said it was with deep sorrow that the union lost a former national leader, adding that AbdulAzeez died after a short illness and would be laid to rest on Sunday. He urged members of the public to remember the deceased and his family in their prayers, asking Allah to grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described the late envoy as a man of integrity whose life left a positive impact on his community. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor prayed for divine forgiveness for AbdulAzeez and strength for his family to bear the loss.

Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, also mourned the diplomat, calling his death a deeply painful and irreplaceable loss. He described AbdulAzeez as an accomplished diplomat, seasoned intelligence professional, respected elder statesman, and unifying figure whose life was defined by selfless service to the Ilorin Emirate and humanity.

Similarly, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, described AbdulAzeez’s death as a major loss to the Ilorin Emirate and society at large. In a condolence message signed by his spokesman, Dr Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir extended sympathies to the bereaved family, the IEDPU leadership, and well-wishers.

Born on February 18, 1952, in Ilorin, Kwara State, AbdulAzeez began his education at Native Authority Primary School, Bussa, obtaining his First School Certificate in 1966. He later trained as a teacher at the former Ilorin Teachers College (now Sheikh Abdulkadir College) between 1967 and 1971.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Abdullahi Bayero College, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1977, a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Jos, and a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan in 2002. He also attended the National Defence College, Abuja, where he received two awards for outstanding performance.

AbdulAzeez completed his National Youth Service Corps at the Advanced Teachers College, Sokoto, between 1977 and 1978, where he later served as a lecturer and Head of the Geography Department.

In 1985, he joined the National Intelligence Agency as a pioneer staff member and rose to senior leadership positions within the service. Between 2000 and 2001, he served as Director of Financial Crimes in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Drugs and Financial Crimes, contributing to efforts that led to the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He represented Nigeria in several intelligence and diplomatic postings, including assignments in Egypt, Angola, Liberia, and China. In 2010, he was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, a role in which he oversaw key milestones, including the launch of Nigeria’s satellite on December 21, 2011.