UNN Mourns the Loss of Professor Frank Nwachukwu Ndili
The passing of Professor Frank Nwachukwu Ndili, Nigeria’s first Nuclear Physicist and Africa’s first Professor in the field, elicits a profound sense of sorrow and gratitude. His legacy of visionary leadership at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he served as Vice-Chancellor, and his unwavering commitment to education and scientific research, leaves an indelible mark on the nation. Colleagues, students, and alumni remember him for his integrity, humility, and intellectual rigor, while the Institute Of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ PAN) convenes a virtual tribute to honor his contributions.
Mary Nwaeze 
The recent passing of Professor Frank Nwachukwu Ndili, Nigeria’s esteemed Nuclear Physicist and Africa’s inaugural Professor in the field, has invoked a profound sense of both sorrow and gratitude across the nation. Recognized for his extraordinary contributions to academia and scientific research, Professor Ndili's life was a testament to glory, excellence, and exemplary achievements.
Professor Ndili's illustrious career spanned decades, marked by his visionary leadership as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Under his stewardship, the institution experienced remarkable growth, fostering academic excellence and making significant impacts within the community.
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Colleagues, students, and alumni fondly remember Professor Ndili as a paragon of integrity, humility, and intellectual rigor. His enduring legacy resonates through the hallways of UNN, where he championed research, innovation, and the pursuit of knowledge.
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Beyond his professional accomplishments, Professor Ndili's life was characterized by acts of compassion, empathy, and selflessness. Whether lecturing in front of eager students or spearheading campus-wide initiatives as Vice Chancellor, his leadership was a source of inspiration to all who knew him.
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In tribute to his remarkable contributions, the Institute Of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ PAN) has organized a virtual gathering to honor Professor Ndili's legacy. Colleagues and peers from around the globe unite in gratitude, sharing anecdotes and recounting moments that underscore his unwavering commitment to truth and discovery.
Born on October 6, 1934, in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, Professor Ndili's academic journey took him from St. Patrick’s College in Asaba to the University of Cambridge in England, where he obtained his Ph.D. in Nuclear and High Energy Particle Physics in 1964. Throughout his career, he held various prestigious positions and earned numerous accolades, solidifying his status as a trailblazer in his field.
As the sun sets over the sprawling campus of UNN, Nigeria bids farewell to a scholar, mentor, and true visionary. Professor Frank Nwachukwu Ndili's legacy will continue to inspire generations of scholars, ensuring that his impact endures like the timeless granite walls of the university itself.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and associates during this time of mourning. May he rest in eternal peace.
