The first non-indigenous Vice Chancellor of University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Professor Cyril Agodi Onwumechili, is dead. Born on January 20, 1932, he died on May 16, 2023. Professor Onwumechili was one of Nigeria’s early scholars earning his Ph.D. in Physics in 1957 after completing his work on Geomagnetic Variations near the Dip Equator. The late Prof Onwumechili began his university lecturing career at the University of Ibadan immediately after obtaining his Ph.D. and was promoted to Professor in 1962 and becoming Dean of Faculty of Science. Later, he moved to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from where he was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, effective January 1, 1979. During his tenure at Ife, he presided over the university’s Quinquennial plan (1980-85) and the master plan (1981-85) that led to the enhancement of capital projects in the university. After his tenure at Ife, he moved on to serve as President at the then Anambra State University of Technology before his eventual retirement. His service to Nigeria was varied, including as President of the Nigerian Academy of Science. Professor Onwumechili is survived by his wife, Cecilia, children: Dr. Chibugo Okoli, Prof. Chuka Onwumechili, and Barrister Anayo Onwumechili and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, nephews, nieces, and several grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.