Martina Chukwuma-Ezike

Martina Chukwuma-Ezike
FRSA
Lord Rector of the University of Aberdeen
In office
January 2022 – December 2024
Preceded byMaggie Chapman
Succeeded byIona Fyfe
Personal details
Born1981 (age 42–43)
Nigeria
SpouseUchenna Chukwuma-Ezike
Alma materUniversity of Calabar (BSc)
University of Aberdeen (MBA)
OccupationCharity Executive

Martina Chukwuma-Ezike FRSA (born 1981) is the founder and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland’s only dedicated asthma charity.[1] In 2021, she was elected as the Rector of the University of Aberdeen, the first black person to hold the position.[2] She was installed as Rector in 2022.[3]

Biography

Martina Chukwuma-Ezike was born in Nigeria in 1981 and grew up in Cross River State.[4] She first completed a diploma at the University of Calabar in Social Works, from 1999 to 2001, going on to study for a degree in Sociology in 2002, graduating in 2005 with a B.Sc.[5]

After briefly working for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, in 2008 she moved to the United Kingdom, where the following year she attained an MBA from the University of Aberdeen.[6]

Suffering from a severe form of asthma,[7] known as brittle asthma, which made studying difficult for her, Chukwuma-Ezike noticed the lack of suitable support available in the Northeast of Britain, which led to her decision to found a charity separate from Asthma UK in 2009 – Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland's only asthma charity,[8] of which she is chief executive.[9]

In 2021, Chukwuma-Ezike was elected rector of the University of Aberdeen and became the first person of colour to hold the post.[10][8]

Selected publications

  • What do you know about asthma? (2013, Xlibris:ISBN 978-1483657752)

References

  1. ^ "ABOUT US - Asthma and Allergy Foundation". 17 March 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  2. ^ Taylor, Margaret (26 October 2022). "Making history: The black female rectors leading Scotland's ancient institutions into the future". Holyrood.
  3. ^ "The Rector | Martina Chukwuma-Ezike". University of Aberdeen. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  4. ^ Chukwuma-Ezike, Martina (20 October 2022). "Martina Chukwuma-Ezike: Black figures and their allies in Scottish history forged a path for people like me". The Press and Journal.
  5. ^ Ezenduka, Michelle (16 April 2022). "Meet Martina Chukwuma-Ezike, first black female Rector of the University of Aberdeen, Scotland". Nairametrics. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  6. ^ Shesight (28 October 2022). "Martina Chukwuma-Ezike Becomes The First Woman Of Colour Elected As Rector of the University of Aberdeen". SheSight. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  7. ^ Home, Marc (30 September 2022). "Asthma chief demands review of eco-inhalers 'before people die'". The Times.
  8. ^ a b Smith, Anne (25 March 2022). "Asthma charity boss first black woman elected rector of ancient university". STV News. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  9. ^ Taylor, Margaret (26 October 2022). "Making history: The black female rectors leading Scotland's ancient institutions into the future". Holyrood. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  10. ^ Munro, Craig (19 November 2021). "Asthma charity boss Martina Chukwuma-Ezike elected Aberdeen University rector". The Press and Journal.
Academic offices
Preceded by Rector of the University of Aberdeen
2022 – 2024 		Succeeded by