Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi
Minister of State for Defence
In office
30 August 2006 – 28 May 2007
PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo
MinisterRabiu Kwankwaso
Preceded byRoland Oritsejafor
Personal details
Bornc 1953 (age 69–70)
Kaduna, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now in Kaduna State, Nigeria)
Parents

Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi (born c. 1953)[1] is a Nigerian politician and diplomat who previously served as minister of state for Defence. He is the son of former military leader Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi,[2] and was the ambassador to Togo before former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him to succeed Roland Oritsejafor as Minister of state for Defence.[3]

While Aguiyi-Ironsi was ambassador to Togo, the choices to replace the outgoing Foreign Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, were reportedly narrowed down to him and Joy Ogwu.[2] However, after Obasanjo fired Oritsejafor, Aguiyi-Ironsi received the job of Defence Minister while Ogwu became foreign minister. The two were sworn in on 30 August 2006.[3]

On 24 January 2007, Aguiyi-Ironsi announced that Nigeria would send a battalion of peacekeeping troops to Somalia.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "How I escaped death day coupists killed my father – Aguiyi-Ironsi's son, Thomas". Punch Newspapers. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  2. 1 2 Elendu, Jonathan (7 August 2006). "Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Tom or Joy". Elendu Reports. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  3. 1 2 Nwankwere, Lucky; Molly Kilete (31 August 2006). "Obasanjo drops Defence Minister…Aguiyi-Ironsi's son takes over". Online Nigeria. Retrieved 25 January 2007.
  4. ↑ "Nigeria to send peacekeeping battalion to Somalia". reuter.co.uk. Reuters. 24 January 2007. Retrieved 25 January 2007.


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