Prof Mark Nwagwu proved the axiom that age is not a barrier to learning. His latest academic feat has earned him the status of an exemplary octogenarian.

Recently, Prof Nwagwu, a scholar of Cell and Molecular Biology, bagged his second PhD thesis in Cultural Studies and New Media recently.

Not one to rest on his oars, he was 86 when he started his second PhD in 2023. This latest feat comes 61 years after his first PhD and 44 years after he became a full Professor at Ibadan.

His professional work in science and the arts has made him the only Nigerian who is both a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science and a Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors.

Prof Nwagwu grew up in Aba, Abia State. Prof. Nwagwu was born in Oboetiti, Nguru Aboh Mbaise, in Imo State on May 5, 1937. He was born to Charles Obasi and Helen Nwagwu.

He started primary school in 1942 at Christ the King School, first in its kindergarten years, 1942-43. In 1949, he completed his primary school education and proceeded to St. Patrick’s College, Calabar.

Nwagwu had his secondary education there between 1950 and 1956. He remained at St. Patrick’s College because the school had started a Higher School Certificate programme in sciences. It was the only college in Nigeria at that time with a Higher School Certificate in sciences. In 1955, he started my Higher School Certificate in Chemistry, Botany and Zoology.

He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Zoology. He also obtained his PhD at Stockholm University between 1962 and 1965.

Prof Nwagwu’s degree was focused on Zoophysiology, which involved gas relations, development, differentiation and the biochemistry of differentiation. (The Nation)