Former Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Professor Ben Nwabueze, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has passed away.
The news of his death was revealed by the President General of Atani Town Union, Arinze Nzeli, who stated that Professor Nwabueze died in his Lagos apartment at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 29.
Professor Ben Nwabueze was Nigeria’s first academic Senior Advocate of Nigeria and had a distinguished career as a teacher, administrator, businessman, and former Minister of Education and Youth Development.
His academic journey began at CMS Central School Atani and included studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He held various academic positions, including Senior Lecturer at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Zambia.
In 1978, he earned his Doctor of Laws (LL.D) at the University of London, becoming the only Nigerian and African holder of a higher doctorate degree in Law by published works. He was also the first academic lawyer to be made a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1978 strictly on the basis of his published works.
Throughout his career, Professor Nwabueze made significant contributions to academia and legal scholarship. He served on the Senate of various universities and held important academic positions, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of law and education.
His passing is a loss to the legal and academic communities in Nigeria.