By Editorial Desk
ABT NEWS mourns with profound sadness and shock the passing of Professor Gregory Ikechukwu (Iyke) Ibe, OFR, a foremost educationist, industrialist, entrepreneur, philanthropist, political leader, and founder of Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State.
Professor Ibe passed away on October 18, 2026, at the age of 62, following a series of health challenges. His passing was confirmed in an official statement issued by the Ibe family of Amaokwe Achara, Uturu.
A visionary entrepreneur and humanitarian, Professor Ibe left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s educational and industrial landscape. He is survived by his six children and seven grandchildren.
From Humble Beginnings to National Impact
Born on December 10, 1963, in Kaduna to parents hailing from Uturu, Abia State, Professor Ibe was not born into easy circumstances. Facing economic hardship early in life, he worked tirelessly to finance his own education. Alternating between work and study, he completed his primary education in Kaduna and secondary education at Boys High School, Ihube, Imo State, before advancing to the School of Accountancy and Management Studies in Aba and Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
Driven by an insatiable quest for knowledge, he earned his Master’s degree in 2003 and a Doctorate Degree in Management in 2006 from California Coast University, Santa Ana.
Those tough early years hardened his resolve and prepared him for his life’s mission: serving as a beacon of hope and opportunity for millions of young Nigerians.
The “Skill-G” Legacy & Educational Revolution
Popularly known as “Skill-G,” Professor Ibe transformed Nigerian STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. Through his enterprise, Skill ‘G’ Nigeria Ltd, he partnered with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and international tech partners to equip laboratories and workshops across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.
His passion for practical education culminated in 2012 when the Federal Government licensed Gregory University, Uturu (GUU). Under his stewardship as Chancellor, GUU grew into a premier private institution anchored on entrepreneurship, innovation, and technical expertise.
In addition to GUU, he co-founded the Innov8 Hub in Abuja, a Silicon Valley-style innovation center and startup incubator established in partnership with Israeli technology experts to foster venture creation, technology transfer, and research commercialization in Nigeria.
Faith, Family, and Public Service
Professor Ibe’s deep-seated faith and entrepreneurial drive were heavily influenced by his mother, the late Ugoeze Margaret Ibe, whom he described as his mentor and moral compass.
Beyond business and academia, Professor Ibe was a distinguished political leader in Abia State. He contested as the governorship candidate for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2023 Abia State gubernatorial election, driven by a passion to apply his executive experience to public governance and socio-economic reform.
Recognized nationally for his contributions to enterprise and education, he was conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) national honor.
Tributes and Final Rest
Tributes have poured in from across the country from government officials, academic leaders, and beneficiaries of his philanthropy. Leaders have described him as a builder of character, a nurturer of dreams, and an irreplaceable titan of education and industry.
Though Professor Gregory Ikechukwu Ibe has joined the saints, his legacy lives on in the classrooms of Gregory University, the innovative labs of Skill-G and Innov8 Hub, and the thousands of lives he touched.
“He lived a life of industry, enterprise, and service, leaving behind enduring legacies of strength, godliness, and impact.”
© ABT NEWS — All Rights Reserved.
By
