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The Story of Jaja Wachuku, the Nigerian Prince and Statesman Who Saved Nelson Mandela from Death Penalty

Mention prominent political pioneers in Nigeria and Jaja Wachuku’s name comes at the highest priority on the rundown. His noteworthy mark in the political history has made him an embodiment of Statesmanship that has not gone unrecognized. Nonetheless, much isn’t thought about the role he played in sparing the life of Nelson Mandela amid the Rivonia Trial.

In 1963, Nelson Mandela alongside 12 other ‘questionable’ South African government officials were captured and sentenced for disrupt in the wake of being found in  Liliesleafarm Farm in Rivonia where they had been stowing away for a long time. At the time, Nelson Mandela had been recorded as a fear based oppressor by the U.S. government subsequent to avoiding the police and going into isolation since 1961.

Mandela became more radical while in prison and admitted to sabotaging, but pleaded innocent to every other charge. At the trial, Mandela gave a three hour I Am Prepared to Die Speech and was found guilty and sentenced to death in 1964.

At the time, Jaja Wachuku was working as the first Minister of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria after serving as the first Ambassador and Paramount Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations. Through his excellent showcase of work ethics, he had gained considerable fame and respect in the United Nations as well as established strong relations with presidents of the United States between 1960 and 1963.

Wachuku, who believed in what Mandela stood for and believed that he was wrongfully sentenced, intervened during his trial through the United Nations and South African government. Through Jaja Wachuku, Nelson Mandela and the 12 other political leaders were sentenced to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.

Jaja Wachuku was born on January 1, 1918, to King Josaiah Ndubuisi Wachuku of Ngwa-Land in Eastern Nigeria which is populated by the Igbo tribe of Nigeria. His mother, Queen Rebecca Ngwanchiwa Wachuku is also widely known for her role as a woman’s right activist and wealthy landowner years before she married into royalty.

Jaja Wachuku was an intelligent man who gained several scholarships and prizes during his school years. Born into an affluent home, he received the best of education in Nigeria, Ghana and Angola until finally leaving Africa for Ireland for further studies where he successfully graduated as a lawyer.

His most distinguished awards were a high school scholarship in Lagos and becoming the first African gold medalist Laureate in Oratory of Trinity College, Ireland. He was called to the Irish bar in 1944.

Jaja Wachuku, Kennedy F. Kennedy and Martin L. King

From 1944 to 1947, Jaja Wachuku worked extensively in Ireland working closely with fellow Africans to elevate the social status of Africans working in Europe. He gave lectures on various topics affecting the African in Europe and represented diverse African students and associations on several international platforms. He also continued his education specialising in Criminal and Constitutional Law.

Identifying the pressing need for independence for Nigeria, Jaja relocated to his home country in 1947 and immediately got involved in governance and politics after being elected as a member and legal advisor for the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons. He then set up the New Africa Party to help institutionalise Pan Africanism and the need for independence in Nigeria.


Jaja-Wachuku, President Balewa and Princess Alexandra of Kent,1960


He became the first Nigerian Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1959 and was appointed the first Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations when Nigeria gained independence in 1960 after successfully helping Nigeria gain admission into the United Nations. He also served as Minister of Economic Development, Foreign Affairs and Aviation until the 1966 coup.

Jaja Wachuku is recognised as a statesman with many responsibilities placed in his care. He never complained about his numerous roles but instead performed them diligently. He was recognised and rewarded for his hard work both locally and internationally.

Jaja  Wachuku and his wife Rhoda Idu Oona Onumonu

He married Rhoda Idu Oona Onumonu in 1951, and they had five children together. Jaja Wachuku retired from politics but was very active during the Biafra War helping in the struggle of the Igbo people and in Nigeria’s Second Republic where he worked closely with the Nigerian Senate.

He passed away on November 7, 1996, after a short illness at the age of 78.

He has been featured on magazines such as Time Magazine which described him as a “Pride of Africa”. In 2010, he was posthumously awarded the Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary Award for his dedication to Nigeria and its governance by Goodluck Jonathan, the then president of the country.


Written by MT

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