Gordian Ezekwe

Gordian Obumneme Ezekwe (May 10, 1929 – June 25, 1997) was a Nigerian inventor, mechanical engineer and former federal Minister of Science and Technology under Ibrahim Babangida from 1989 to 1991. As the head of the Rocket Group of the Biafran Research and Production Directorate, he was notable for supervising the invention of the Biafran rocket and building a refinery for producing fuel, kerosene and diesel during the Nigerian Civil War. He was a former director of the Projects Development Agency (PRODA) (later renamed Institute), first Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Agency For Science and Engineering, Infrastructure (NASENI), and founder of Science Equipment Development Institute (SEDI). Prof. Gordian Ezekwe was the first Nigerian PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Life and career Early career Ezekwe was appointed Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Zaria in 1959, serving until 1962; He was then appointed Lecturer, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1962. He was Visiting Lecturer, University of Sheffield, UK (1963–64); Senior Lecturer, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1964–67).

Later career Ezekwe was Senior Lecturer, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1967–72). He was Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1970–1973; Gordian Ezekwe rose to Reader, University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1972 and was a Visiting fellow, University of Oxford, UK in 1974. Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1973–74, 1975–76); and acting Vice Chancellor, UNN, 1976; He was appointed Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1975. Prof. Ezekwe served as Director, Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu from 1976 to July 1989; chairman, Nigerian Coal Corporation, Enugu (1988–89). and the Industrial Cooker; Mechanical Egg-Turner for small Incubators. He was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Science (Hon. D.Sc.), University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1986,