President Tinubu applauds Prof Uchegbu on her election as Cambridge University College President

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian-born Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience and top-flight researcher, Ijeoma Uchegbu, on her election as President of Wolfson College, one of the 31 colleges of the University of Cambridge.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, (Media & Publicity), stated this in a release on Sunday, December 17, 2023.

Professor Uchegbu, renowned for her innovative work in nanoparticle drug delivery, is currently a Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience at University College London (UCL).

President Tinubu celebrated the outstanding accomplishment and commended Professor Uchegbu for being an excellent ambassador for the country and for her relentless efforts to advance the frontiers of pharmaceutical science.

The President also applauded Professor Uchegbu as epitomizing the ingenuity, brilliance, and hard work that are consistently synonymous with the great Nigerian people, both at home and abroad.

While wishing the Nigerian-born Professor more success as she takes on this important role, President Tinubu assures Nigerians in the Diaspora that his administration remains committed to building a robust interface mechanism that harnesses ideas, promotes investment opportunities, and strengthens bonds, in line with his ‘4D Foreign Policy’.

Professor Uchegbu was raised in South East Nigeria and Hackney. She completed her pharmacy studies at the University of Benin in 1981 before attending the University of Lagos to obtain her master’s degree.

Because of some issues, she was unable to finish her doctorate in Nigeria. After returning to the UK, she studied postgraduate work at the University of London, earning a PhD in 1997. Alexander (Sandy) Florence, the Dean of the School of Pharmacy, supervised her dissertation. From 2002 to 2004, she worked as a lecturer at the University of Strathclyde.

Her pioneering work on the mechanisms of drug transport has led to the development of new treatments that promise to transform pain relief, including the enkephalin pain medicine candidate (EnveltaÔ™), designed to address the opioid crisis. With her visionary leadership and extensive experience in academia, Professor Ijeoma is set to make a profound impact on the college’s future.

Her appointment brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge that will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and development of both the college and its students.

Her work has won her numerous awards, fellowships, and accolades, and she holds positions on several academic boards and councils including the Wellcome Trust, and the Academy of Medical Sciences, and is an honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. She has also played a leading role during her time at UCL as Pro Vice Provost for Africa and the Middle East, in forging new research partnerships in those regions and as UCL’s Provost’s Envoy for Race Equality, steering the organization’s race equality agenda

Responding to her appointment, she said “I am so thrilled to be joining Wolfson College, an ambitious and forward-thinking College. It will be an honor to lead such a lively, diverse, and engaged student community in an environment where people are stimulated culturally, socially, and intellectually. I look forward to working with the Governing Body, staff, and students to help realize their ambitions and potential.”

Professor Ijeoma’s leadership will undoubtedly foster a research-intensive environment where innovation and critical thinking thrive. Moreover, her dedication to community engagement and inclusivity aligns perfectly with Wolfson College’s values. She strongly believes in creating a diverse and inclusive educational environment where individuals from all walks of life can thrive.