Background
Audu was born on March 1, 1927 in Anchau, a village near Zaria, Kaduna State, to a father who had converted from Islam to Christianity.
Diplomat minister of foreign affairs
Audu was born on March 1, 1927 in Anchau, a village near Zaria, Kaduna State, to a father who had converted from Islam to Christianity.
In 1951 he left for the University of London in England, where he stayed until 1954. In 1955 he studied at the University of Liverpool (also in England).
A Hausa Christian, he served as Minister of External Affairs (Foreign Minister) from 1979 to 1983 under Shehu Shagari. Initially educated at Saint Bartholomew’s School in Wusasa, he moved to Yaba Higher College in Lagos and then to University College, Ibadan (since renamed to the University of Ibadan) in 1948. Audu lectured in internal medicine at the University of Lagos in 1962 and was promoted to the position of Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University in 1966.
Ishaya Audu was the vice presidential candidate of the Nigeran People"s Party which had Doctor Nnamdi Azikiwe as its presidential candidate in 1979 presidential Election.
He also served as Nigeria"s Ambassador to the United Nations. After the 1983 overthrow of Shagari"s government by General Muhammadu Buhari (and the replacement of the Second Republic with military dictatorship), Audu was detained for a year.
After his release Audu took up private practice at his own hospital in Samaru. He also founded his own church.
He died on August 29, 2005 while in the United States for medical treatment.
Audu was a member of the Nigeria Peoples Party when President Shehu Shagari gave Audu the position of Minister of External Affairs in 1979.