Age didn’t matter: Why Prof Nwagwu pursued another PhD at 89

At 89, renowned scientist and author Prof Mark Nwagwu says curiosity, research and a desire to explore the connections between culture, humanities and biology drove him to complete a second PhD.

Prof Mark Nwagwu has explained why, decades after earning his first doctorate, he returned to the classroom in his eighties to pursue another PhD.

The 89-year-old scholar told PUNCH that the journey began with an interest in researching aspects of Igbo culture rather than simply writing about them. A conversation with a friend reinforced his belief that understanding where people come from is important to understanding where they are going.

Nwagwu began the programme in 2023 at 86, studying Cultural Studies and Anthropology alongside classmates decades younger than him. He attended lectures, wrote essays, sat examinations and presented seminars, eventually scoring above 70 per cent in five courses to progress to the doctoral stage.

His research ultimately developed beyond its original cultural focus. Drawing on his scientific background, Nwagwu explored connections between culture, biology, stem cells and what he described as “extravertebral theatre,” creating an interdisciplinary thesis spanning science and the humanities.

Age, he said, was not the determining factor in the classroom. What mattered was concentration and the willingness to continue learning.

Nwagwu earned his first PhD in Zoophysiology from Stockholm University between 1962 and 1965. He is a Fellow of both the Nigerian Academy of Science and the Association of Nigerian Authors.