Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, is dead. He passed away on Saturday at the age of 78.
A statement from the Ogbeh family confirmed that the elder statesman died peacefully on August 9, 2025. The family expressed deep sadness, describing him as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather who left behind a legacy of integrity, service, and dedication to the nation and community.
Details regarding funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course, and the family has requested privacy as they mourn their patriarch.
Born in Otukpo, Benue State, Ogbeh attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and later the University of Toulouse in France. He began his public service career as a member of the Benue State House of Assembly in 1979, where he served as Deputy Speaker.
Ogbeh held various ministerial positions, including Federal Minister of Communications and Minister of Steel Development, before focusing on agriculture. He was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and served as its National Chairman from 2001 to 2005.
Most recently, he was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2015 to 2019 under the Muhammadu Buhari administration. A multifaceted scholar, Ogbeh authored several plays, including “Epitaph of Simon Kisulu.”
His passing has prompted condolences from various leaders and communities, reflecting the significant impact he had throughout his life.
