Statement by the Association of African Universities (AAU) on the death of Professor Charles Ejike Chidume, Acting President of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja.

 The Association of African Universities (AAU) and the entire African higher education community are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Professor Charles Ejike Chidume, the Acting President of the African University of Science and Technology on Thursday, October 7, 2021. Professor Chidume was a celebrated Professor of Mathematics, and also the former Coordinator of the Postgraduate and Research program at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics of IAEA and UNESCO of the United Nations, in Trieste, Italy.

Due to his strong track record as an achiever and a leader, Prof. Chidume also led the Mathematics Institute as its Director. He worked tirelessly to improve Mathematics Education in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. He will be remembered for his great service to the Nigerian Mathematics Society and African Higher Education as a whole.

On behalf of the Governing Board of the AAU, the 400-member universities of the Association, Staff of the AAU Secretariat and all the stakeholders of the African Higher Education community, the Association extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family (his wife, children, and grandchildren), and commiserates with the Nigeria Ministry of Education, the AUST community as well as the entire citizenry of Nigeria, and Africa on this sad event.

We will fondly remember Prof Chidume for his immense contribution to academic scholarship in Africa. Indeed, Africa has lost a great scholar and leader.

May His Dear Soul Rest in Perfect Peace!

Yours in the Service of Higher Education in Africa

Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole

SECRETARY GENERAL

ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES