Martina Chukwuma-Ezike

Martina Chukwuma-Ezike Public Figure and Former Lord Rector of the University of Aberdeen

Martina Chukwuma-Ezike FRSA, born June 1981 is the CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland's only dedicated asthma charity which she founded in 2009. The charity provides vital services to over 23,000 adults, children and young people with asthma, their families and carers across Scotland. The organisation also provides accredited Asthma training to businesses, healthcare professionals, Universities, Colleges and Schools

In 2021, she was elected as the Rector of the University of Aberdeen, Head of the University and Chairman of the University Court, the first black person to hold the position in the University 530 years history. She was installed as Rector in 2022 and served a three year term and is known and referred to as an exceptional Rector.

Biography Born Martina Kewanghe Besong Abang in June 1981 into the Prestigious Abang's family from Boki, Cross River State, Nigeria. Martina grew up in Cross River State. She first completed a diploma at the University of Calabar in Social Works, from 1999 to 2001, going on to study for a degree in sociology in 2002, graduating in 2005 with a B.Sc.

After briefly working for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, in 2008 she moved to the United Kingdom, where the following year she attained an MBA from the University of Aberdeen.

Suffering from a severe form of asthma, known as brittle asthma, which made studying difficult for her, Chukwuma-Ezike noticed the lack of suitable support available in the Northeast of Britain, which led to her decision to found a charity separate from Asthma UK in 2009 – Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland's only asthma charity, of which she is chief executive.

In 2021, Chukwuma-Ezike was elected rector of the University of Aberdeen and became the first person of colour to hold the post.

Selected publications What do you know about asthma? (2013, Xlibris:)