Martin U. Nwankwo
Dr. Martin U. Nwankwo, an esteemed member of the Government College Umuahia Class of 1962–1970, is being honored as a National Patron of GCUOBA USA during its National Conference in Maryland, September 11–14, 2025.
A native of Ajalli, Orumba North LGA, Anambra State, Dr. Nwankwo distinguished himself early as an exceptional student. He began his educational journey at Government School Ajalli before joining Government College Umuahia, where he served as House Captain of Nile House. He was admitted to both King’s College, Lagos, and Government College Umuahia, but proudly chose to become an Umuahian, joining a tradition of excellence that shaped generations of leaders.
His academic foundation at Umuahia propelled him to the University of Ibadan (1970–1976), where he completed his medical training. His post-graduate journey included Residency in Pediatrics at UBTH Benin (1978–1982),
Research Fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (1982–1983), Residency in Pediatrics at Michigan State University (1990–1991), and Fellowship in Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine (1991–1994).
Over nearly five decades of distinguished service in both Nigeria and the United States, Dr. Nwankwo has held numerous academic and clinical appointments, including Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Consultant Pediatrician, Attending Neonatologist, and Director of Neonatal Services. He has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed articles and delivered numerous presentations at conferences across Africa and the USA.
Beyond his academic and clinical contributions, Dr. Nwankwo is a passionate advocate for community health and development. He is a founding member and patron of One Hundred Igbos USA (OHIO) and spearheaded the Alaigbo Healthcare Initiative, which introduced transformative projects including a Mobile Surgical Unit (MSU), EMS Ambulance, Pre/Post-Operative ICU, and an Endoscopy suite annex to the Eastern Nigeria Medical Center in Enugu. He has sponsored and actively participated in multiple medical missions to Ajalli and other Igbo communities.
Within the GCUOBA community, Dr. Nwankwo has been a steadfast supporter, contributing significantly to fundraising efforts for the Reconstruction and Reclamation of Government College Umuahia. Through his work with the Ernestville Foundation, where he serves as a board member, he helped fund and implement a scholarship initiative that successfully enabled six students to gain admission into the GCU Class of 2025.
Dr. Nwankwo is widely respected as an extraordinary leader, brilliant strategist, and a compassionate humanitarian. His professional excellence and tireless dedication to uplifting his community exemplify the values of Government College Umuahia.
He is married to Pearl, a retired nurse practitioner, and together they are blessed with three adult children, all of whom have followed in his footsteps as physicians.