Martina Chukwuma-Ezike becomes first black female elected Rector

Martina Chukwuma-Ezike formally installed as the Rector of the University of Aberdeen in King’s College Chapel, Scotland; following in the footsteps of previous Aberdeen University rectors such as philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, and television presenter Clarissa Dickson Wright.

Martina Chukwuma-Ezike is the first woman of colour also the first Nigerian to be Rector of the University.

The rector position of the University is always voted by the students since the University’s inception in 1495.

Martina is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen. She is the Chief Executive of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland. A foundation dedicated to asthma charity, which she founded in 2009.

The Asthma Support Centre located in the UK provides support services for people with asthma and allergies in northeast Scotland.

Martina completed her MBA in 2009 and has a longstanding relationship with the student body, offering mentoring, volunteering, and work placement opportunities at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, enabling medical students to gain experience by working directly with asthmatics.

Martina is a member of the Grampian Respiratory Improvement Group and co-developed the Grampian Respiratory Improvement Project for NHSG.

She is a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Lung Health and the Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organizations, where she mentors and supports newly appointed Chief Executive Officers.

She is a strong advocate for women in business and a mentor to company owners all around the UK.

Martina is also a fellow of The Royal Society for Arts, Manufacturing, and Commerce, which she won for her outstanding efforts in assisting the 5.4 million individuals suffering from asthma in the UK during the COVID-19 epidemic.