Celebrating the life and contribution of Professor Timothy Uzochukwu Obi

The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is deeply saddened to have heard of the death of Professor Timothy Uzochukwu Obi, an AAS Fellow, and Veterinarian educator. He passed away on 17 June 2022.

Professor Obi was a distinguished scholar. He had a long teaching career at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria where he became a full Professor in 1988. Director Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, 1991-1994.; Head of Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, since 1995. He was listed as a noteworthy veterinarian and educator by Marquis Who's Who.

He was an expert in Epidemiology, Immuno-diagnosis, and control of major Transboundary Animal Diseases. He served as a consultant epidemiologist for various international organizations in Africa and Iraq.

Professor Obi held numerous international positions including FAO visiting scientist 1998-99, International Consultant /Team leader: SCR 986 Oil-for-Food Programme, Erbil, Northern Iraq 1999-2002, Consultant Epidemiologist/Team Lead: Avian Influenza Taskforce, FAO, Abuja, 2006-2007. He has also served as an International Consultant, ECTAD, FAO, 2007-2008 as well as the Regional Coordinator, West Africa for the USAID-sponsored STOPAI programme in Accra, Ghana, 2009-2010. In addition, he served as a consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria between 1986 and 1989.

Professor Obi had an illustrious career and was the recipient of several awards. He was a European Communion Fellow, Institute of Animal Health Pirbright (1984-1986). In 1988, he received the Rockefeller Foundation Center Fellowship for Biotechnology, Animal Disease in Nepean, Canada. He was also a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Biology (FNIBiol.), the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria (FCVSN), the Academy of Science of Nigeria (FAS) and the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). In 1992, he was awarded a Medal for outstanding Biomedical Research by the Oritsejolomi-Thomas Biomedical Foundation. As a reward for his contribution nationally and internationally in the field of epidemiology, immunodiagnostics and the control of major Trans-boundary Animal Diseases, he was conferred with the National Honor of Member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) in 2008 by the then President, Mohammad Yar’Adua.

The AAS remembers him for his contribution to the growth of the Academy. May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace.