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Renowned Nigerian scholar, zoologist, poet, and former University of Ibadan professor, Prof. Dr. Dr. Mark Nwagwu, has successfully defended a second Ph.D. at the age of 89.
The latest doctorate, in Anthropology, was completed at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, adding another milestone to an academic career spanning more than six decades.
Prof. Nwagwu began his academic journey at the then University College, Ibadan in 1957. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of London in 1961, followed by a Master of Science in Zoology in 1965. In the same year, he obtained his first Ph.D. in Zoology from Stockholm University, Sweden.
Between 1966 and 1969, he conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Connecticut, United States, where he worked on myosin messenger RNA and muscle-protein synthesis.
Throughout his distinguished academic career, Nwagwu rose through the ranks from Senior Lecturer to Reader before becoming a Professor of Zoology in 1982. He later specialised in Cell and Molecular Biology and served at the University of Ibadan until his retirement in 2002. He also held appointments as an Assistant and Associate Professor at Brock University, Canada.
Beyond science, Prof. Nwagwu has made significant contributions to literature, publishing poetry and novels after retirement.
He remains the only Nigerian scholar to hold fellowship in both the Nigerian Academy of Science and the Association of Nigerian Authors, reflecting his distinguished achievements in science and the humanities.
His successful defence of a second doctorate at 89 has been widely celebrated amongst colleagues, former students, friends and others on social media.
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