Ohanaeze Ndigbo Mourns Professor Damian Opata as Renowned UNN Scholar Is Buried

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has paid tribute to the late Professor Damian Ugwutikiri Opata, a renowned scholar of English and Literary Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), who was buried on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Opata, who served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Professorial Chair Endowment Programme, was remembered for his contributions to scholarship, African literature and the preservation of Igbo cultural values.

In a statement issued by the organisation’s Global Publicity Secretary, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, Ohanaeze Ndigbo expressed its condolences over the death of the academic, describing his passing as a loss to the Igbo nation and the academic community.

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator Azuta Mbata, also mourned the late professor, acknowledging his role in advancing the organisation’s academic initiatives. Mbata had previously commended the transparent and merit-driven process used in selecting the holder of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Professorial Chair.

Throughout his academic career, Opata earned recognition for his work on African literature, the Igbo worldview, traditional values and cultural heritage. His scholarship contributed to discussions on African identity and the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge and traditions.

As a respected member of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka academic community, Opata was known for his intellectual contributions and commitment to literary studies. His work helped deepen understanding of the relationship between literature, culture and the experiences of African people.

The late professor was laid to rest on October 17, 2026, in Lejja, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, according to details provided by his family.

His death marks the end of a distinguished academic journey, but his contributions to African literature, Igbo cultural studies and the promotion of academic excellence are expected to remain part of his enduring legacy.