Charles Arizechukwu Igwe (23 August 1958âÂÂ28 December 2025) was a Nigerian soil scientist and university administrator who served as the 15th ViceâÂÂChancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He was recognized for his research in tropical soil stability and his administrative leadership in Nigerian higher education. He joined the university in the year 1976 as a soil survey assistant and in 1976 he became an academic staff of the institution. In 2016, Charles was appointed the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and re-appointed in 2018.
Igwe was born in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. He earned his B.Agric, M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in Soil Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He also held a PostâÂÂGraduate Diploma in Soil Science from the Agricultural University of Norway.
In June 2019, Igwe was appointed the ViceâÂÂChancellor of UNN, making him the 15th person to hold the position.
Charles Arizechukwu Igwe, a Professor of Soil Science was born at Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria on 23 August 1958. He held a PhD, M.Sc. and B Agric degrees in Soil Science from University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He also obtained Postgraduate Diploma in Soil Science from Agricultural University, Norway, ÃÂ s. He was Head of Department; Associate Dean of Faculty; Dean of Faculty and Directors of Centres at various times. Charles was Visiting Researcher/Professor in Universities located in Germany, Japan, Norway, Italy and France. He was a member, University Governing Council and has supervised Undergraduates, Masters and many PhD students in his discipline. He was an External Examiner and Professorial Assessor in many Nigerian and European Universities.
Professor Igwe's research focuses on the contributions of organic and mineral colloids in stability of tropical soils. He contributed significantly in the knowledge of stability of unstable tropical soils which undergo catastrophic soil erosion with intensive tropical rainfall. In the face of Global Climate Change, he expanded the scope of his research to include the "Carbon sequestration in tropical soils". In his search to unravel inherent soil factors influencing erodibility (K) factor of erosion models, he published some pioneering works on soil colloidal-dispersion. He is author or co-author of many peer-reviewed articles in reputable Journals of Soil/Environmental Sciences.
He was a NORAD Fellow; Fellow of Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Germany; Regular Associate, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy; Fellow, Japanese Society for Promotion of Science; Winner, University of Nigeria Vice-Chancellor's Faculty and University Prizes 1992/93; Listed in Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering; and participant in German DAAD/DIES Deans Course 2009.
Charles has received several fellowship awards
Professor Charles Arizechukwu Igwe died on 27 December 2025 after a brief illness. His death occurred shortly after his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, ended in June 2024. The news was confirmed by university authorities and widely reported in national media. Tributes poured in from academic institutions, colleagues, and students, praising his contributions to higher education and soil science in Nigeria.