Nigerians in academia have consistently been flying the flags of the country abroad. This article is focused on the two Nigerian-born professors that broke records to become first black vice chancellors in US and UK respectively.
Professor Ilesanmi Adesida
In 2012, Professor Ilesanmi Adesida became the first Nigerian and indeed African to be appointed vice chancellor in the United State of American.
This professor was born in Ifon (Ondo State) on May 15, 1949. In 1974 his first degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley. He was awarded his second degree in Electrical Engineering in 1975. Then, in 1979, he bagged a Doctor of philosophy (PhD) in the same discipline from the same university.
After his PhD, he worked as a postdoctoral research associate and visiting assistant professor in Cornell University from 1979 to 1984. He then returned to Nigeria where he became the Head, Department of Electrical Engineering in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University between 1985 and 1987. He returned to the US in 1987 to become a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
The professor rose to the position of Dean, College of Engineering in the university in 2005. He was in that position for until he was appointed Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in the University in 2012, a position he held till August 30, 2015.
In 2016, he was appointed provost of Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan.
Professor Charles Egbu
This notable professor broke record in 2020 when he became the first black african to become a vice chancellor in a British university
Professor Charles Egbu was born in Abatete, a town in the present Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. After his early education, he migrated to the United Kingdom for his first degree from the
Leeds Metropolitan University. He graduated with first degree in Quantity Surveying. He also has an Advanced Diploma in Research Award Presentation from the same university. The erudite professor also received a degree from Kitson College (now Leeds College of Technology). He thereafter proceeded to University of Salford where he was awarded Doctor of Philosophy in Construction Project Management.
Professor Egbu has held academic positions in University of Salford as well as many other universities in the United Kingdom. He is also a fellow of many societies, institutes and academies. He is currently a professor of Professor of Project Management and Strategic Management in Construction.
9Naija 