Writer and filmmaker Uzodinma Iweala will step down as chief executive officer of The Africa Center in December 2024 after seven years.
The non-profit institution, under Iweala’s leadership, evolved from a visual arts museum into an interdisciplinary centre focused on changing narratives and creating new opportunities for Africa and the diaspora.
Speaking on his departure, Iweala, also a medical doctor, said: “After seven years of dedicated service to The Africa Center, I have decided that it is time to turn the page and write my next chapter.”
Iweala, son of the director-general of World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said his time at the centre has been “incredibly rewarding.”
“I am confident that the Center is in a strong position to welcome new leadership to carry the institution to even greater heights,” he said.
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Among his notable achievements is the establishment of the Future Africa Forum which pioneered the centre’s interdisciplinary approach to policy programming. This flagship forum gathers heads of state, senior political officials, industry leaders, philanthropists, and cultural luminaries for discussions during the United Nations General Assembly.
Additionally, he spearheaded efforts to revitalise fundraising, initiate the construction of the Aliko Dangote Hall, and enhance relations with neighbouring communities, in collaboration with the board of trustees.
In a statement, co-chair of the board of trustees Chelsea Clinton commended Iweala’s dedication and foresight.
