Charles Arizechukwu Igwe

Charles Arizechukwu Igwe
15th Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka
In office
4 June 2019 – 4 June 2024
PresidentMuhammadu Buhari
Preceded byBenjamin Chukwuma Ozumba
Succeeded bySimon Uchenna Ortuanya
Personal details
BornCharles Arizechukwu Igwe
(1958-08-23) 23 August 1958
Awka, Eastern Region, British Nigeria (now Anambra State, Nigeria)
Died28 December 2025
Alma materUniversity of Nigeria, Nsukka (B.Agric, M.Sc., Ph.D); Agricultural University of Norway (PGD)
OccupationSoil scientist; academic administrator
Known for15th Vice‑Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

Charles Arizechukwu Igwe // ⓘ (23 August 1958–28 December 2025) was a Nigerian soil scientist and university administrator who served as the 15th Vice‑Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He was recognized for his research in tropical soil stability and his administrative leadership in Nigerian higher education. He joined the university in the year 1976 as a soil survey assistant and in 1976 he became an academic staff of the institution. In 2016, Charles was appointed the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and re-appointed in 2018.[1][2]

Early life and education

Igwe was born in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. He earned his B.Agric, M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in Soil Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He also held a Post‑Graduate Diploma in Soil Science from the Agricultural University of Norway.

Administrative leadership

In June 2019, Igwe was appointed the Vice‑Chancellor of UNN, making him the 15th person to hold the position.

Career

Charles Arizechukwu Igwe, a Professor of Soil Science was born at Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria on 23 August 1958.[3] He held a PhD, M.Sc. and B Agric degrees in Soil Science from University of Nigeria, Nsukka.[4] He also obtained Postgraduate Diploma in Soil Science from Agricultural University, Norway, Ås.[5] He was Head of Department; Associate Dean of Faculty; Dean of Faculty and Directors of Centres at various times.[6] Charles was Visiting Researcher/Professor in Universities located in Germany, Japan, Norway, Italy and France.[7] He was a member, University Governing Council and has supervised Undergraduates, Masters and many PhD students in his discipline.[8] He was an External Examiner and Professorial Assessor in many Nigerian and European Universities.[9]

Professor Igwe's research focuses on the contributions of organic and mineral colloids in stability of tropical soils. He contributed significantly in the knowledge of stability of unstable tropical soils which undergo catastrophic soil erosion with intensive tropical rainfall. In the face of Global Climate Change, he expanded the scope of his research to include the "Carbon sequestration in tropical soils". In his search to unravel inherent soil factors influencing erodibility (K) factor of erosion models, he published some pioneering works on soil colloidal-dispersion.[10] He is author or co-author of many peer-reviewed articles in reputable Journals of Soil/Environmental Sciences.

He was a NORAD Fellow;[11] Fellow of Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Germany;[12] Regular Associate, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy;[13] Fellow, Japanese Society for Promotion of Science; Winner, University of Nigeria Vice-Chancellor's Faculty and University Prizes 1992/93; Listed in Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering;[11] and participant in German DAAD/DIES Deans Course 2009.

Honors and recognition

Charles has received several fellowship awards[14]

  • Fellow of Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Germany
  • Regular Associate, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy
  • Fellow, Japanese Society for Promotion of Science
  • Winner, University of Nigeria Vice-Chancellor's Faculty and University Prizes 1992/93
  • Listed in Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering; participant in German DAAD/DIES Deans Course 2009

Death

Professor Charles Arizechukwu Igwe died on 27 December 2025 after a brief illness.[15] His death occurred shortly after his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, ended in June 2024. The news was confirmed by university authorities and widely reported in national media. Tributes poured in from academic institutions, colleagues, and students, praising his contributions to higher education and soil science in Nigeria.[16][17]

References

  1. ^ "Unveling of Prof Charles Igwe as the 15th Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka". 12 June 2019.
  2. ^ Ugwueze, Emmanuel (23 May 2019). "Charles Igwe emerges new UNN VC". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  3. ^ Ugwueze, Emmanuel (23 May 2019). "Charles Igwe emerges new UNN VC". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  4. ^ "UNN Staff Profile". www.unn.edu.ng. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  5. ^ Nzomiwu, Emmanuel. "Prof. Igwe: Propelling UNN To A First Class university". Independent. Lagos, Nigeria.
  6. ^ "University of Nigeria Staf Profile- Professor Charles Arinzechukwu Igwe". Archived from the original on 1 February 2017.
  7. ^ "The Vice-Chancellor: Professor Charles Arizechukwu Igwe". University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  8. ^ Uche, Bruno. "I AM POISED TO TAKE UNN TO A GREATER HEIGHT….Prof. Igwe". Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  9. ^ "Anambra State Government - Light Of The Nation". www.anambrastate.gov.ng. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  10. ^ Latestnigeriannews. "Prof. Charles Igwe Emerges New Vice Chancellor Of UNN". Latest Nigerian News. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Biographies". www.itu.int. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  12. ^ "Biographies". www.itu.int. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  13. ^ Igwe, Charles Arizechukwu; Zarei, Mehdi; Stahr, Karl (1 June 2008). "Factors affecting potassium status of flood plain soils, eastern Nigeria". Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 54 (3): 309–319. Bibcode:2008ArASS..54..309I. doi:10.1080/03650340801927051. ISSN 0365-0340. S2CID 129087364.
  14. ^ "UNN Staff Profile". University of Nigeria. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  15. ^ "Former Nigerian Vice-Chancellor Dies Of Heart Attack". Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  16. ^ Okafor, Chinedu (29 December 2025). "UNN Mourns as Former VC Charles Igwe Dies of Heart Attack". The Punch. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  17. ^ Whistler, The (29 December 2025). "Former UNN VC, Prof Igwe, Dies Of Heart Attack". The Whistler. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.