By Mercy Peter
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Professor Grace Chidozie Ononiwu CBE on her historic appointment as the first Black African Director-General of Legal Services in the United Kingdom.
In a statement released in Abuja, Dabiri-Erewa described Professor Ononiwu’s latest accomplishment as a remarkable milestone and a testament to the excellence, resilience, and global impact of Nigerians in the diaspora.
“Prof. Ononiwu’s excellence, resilience, and professionalism embody the very best of our global citizens,” Dabiri-Erewa said. “We celebrate her trail-blazing achievement and look forward to even greater heights.
She is an inspiration to Nigerians everywhere, especially women and young people who aspire to leadership in their professions.”
Professor Grace Ononiwu, a seasoned solicitor and Chief Crown Prosecutor, currently serves as the Director-General of Legal Delivery at the United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Her appointment makes her the first Black African to occupy such a high-ranking leadership position in the UK’s legal establishment.
Born to Igbo parents and raised in East London, Ononiwu qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and has since built an illustrious career spanning over three decades.
Her career has been marked by groundbreaking leadership, commitment to justice, and advocacy for inclusion within the legal profession.
She has previously served as Chair of the National Black Crown Prosecution Association (NBCPA), where she championed diversity, equity, and representation across the UK justice system.
Prof. Ononiwu’s outstanding contributions have earned her multiple national and professional honours. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2008 and later Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2019 for her services to law and criminal justice.
In recognition of her academic and professional distinction, she was named a Visiting Professor at the University of Hertfordshire. In 2022, the university further honoured her by naming one of its major buildings after her the Grace Ononiwu Law Court Building.
She has also featured multiple times on the prestigious UK Power List of the most influential Black Britons and was named Woman of the Year in 2020.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that Professor Ononiwu’s success reflects the growing influence of Nigerians excelling in various sectors globally.
“Her achievement is not just personal but national. It reflects the strength, perseverance, and global competitiveness of Nigerians who continue to excel and distinguish themselves wherever they are,” the NiDCOM boss said.
Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to celebrating Nigerians in the diaspora who bring pride to the nation through their excellence, leadership, and contributions to global development.
