Designation:

Professor of Agricultural Engineering (University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1999) President, African University of Science and Technology 

Specializations:

• Agricultural Power, Machinery and Mechanization 

• Processing of Agricultural and Mineral Raw Materials 

• Biomass Valorization, Bioenergy and Biofuels 

• Science, Technology, Innovation Management and Policy 

• Climate Change and Renewable Energy in Agriculture 

PETER AZIKIWE ONWUALU

Academic Qualifications

PhD, Agricultural Engineering, Daltech of Dalhousie, University, formally Technical University of Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS, Canada. 1991. Eng., Agricultural Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Nigeria. 1986. Eng. (First Class Honours), Agricultural Engineering, UNN, Nigeria. 1982. West African School Certificate (Division One). Merchants of Light School, Oba, Idemili South LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria. 1977. 

Professional Affiliations 

• • COREN Registered Engineer (Agricultural) 

  • Fellow, Nigeria Academy of Science, FAS, 2009. 

  • Fellow, Nigeria Academy of Engineering FA Eng. 2010 

  • Fellow, Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers FNIAE. 

  • Fellow, Materials Science and Technology Society of Nigeria, 2015. 

  • Fellow, Horticultural Society of Nigeria, (FHSN), 2013. 

  • Fellow, Agriculture Graduates Association of Nigeria (AGAN), 2010. 

  • Fellow, Agricultural Society of Nigeria FASN, 2009 

  • Fellow, African Scientific Institute, FASI, USA 

  • Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers, FNSE 2008 

  • Fellow, Solar Energy Society of Nigeria, FSESN. 

  • Fellow, Institute of Strategic Management, FISM. 

  • Fellow, Polymer Institute of Nigeria, FPIN.2009 

  • Fellow, Nigeria Institute of Management, FNIM. 

  • Fellow, Institute of Appraisers and Cost Engineers 

Email: aonwualu@aust.edu.ng  president@aust.edu.ng 

Courses (Being taught at AUST):

• • Research Methods and Communication 

  • Biomass Engineering 

  • Engineer in Society 

  • Engineering Communication 

  • Mechanical Behaviour of Materials 

  • Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering 

PROF. PETER AZIKIWE ONWUALU Publications

• • https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=GbZXHQ0AAAAJ&hl=en 

  • https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Peter-Onwualu/publications 

  • Patents - 4 

  • Unpublished PhD Thesis and Project Reports (M.Eng. & B.Eng.) - 3 

  • Books and Commissioned Project Reports - 27 

  • Chapters in Books - 4 

  • Proceedings Editor - 9 

  • Journal Articles - 116 

  • Peer Reviewed Conference Proceedings - 116 

  • Unpublished Conference, Workshop, Seminar, Webinar

  • Keynote Address, Public Lecture Papers - 110 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS OF PROF. ONWUALU

Selected books:  

1. Ndirika, V.I.O.and Onwualu, A.P. 2016. Design principles for post-harvest machines. Nephtali Prints, Lagos. ISBN 978-978-954-748-7. TETFund. 

2. Onwualu, A.P., Buga, M.L., Ode, F.K., Olugbemi, B.O., Negedu, A., Bassey, J.P., Ugonna, C.U., Ndu, C.C., Ajani, O., and Obasi, E. 2013. Industrial Raw Materials Development in Nigeria: Prof. Onwualu’s Scorecard (2005-2013). Published by Raw Materials Research and Development Council. ISBN: 978 978-52169-9-8. 

3. Onwualu, A.P., Ogunwusi, A.A., Olife, I.C. and Inyang, A. 2013. (Eds.) Raw Materials Development for the Transformation of the Manufacturing Sector in Nigeria. Published by Raw Materials Research and Development Council. ISBN: 978-978-52367-1-2. 

4. Onwualu, A.P., Obasi, E., Olife, I.C. and Inyang, A. 2013. (Eds.) Unlocking the Potentials of Nigeria’s Non-Oil Sector. Pitmak Publishers Ltd, Abuja. by Raw Materials Research and Development Council. ISBN: 978-978-52367-2 9 

5. Onwualu, A.P., 2012. Issues in Industrial Raw Materials Development (A Compilation of some Speeches by Professor A. P. Onwualu, FAS Director General, RMRDC during the period 2005-2009) Edited by Seb. C. Obasi. Research and Development Council RMRDC Publication Series No.023. ISBN 978-978-50750-8-3 

6. Ajoku, K.B., Onwualu, A.P. 2012. Unlocking Nigeria’s Potentials through Science Technology and Innovation. Pitmak Publishers Ltd, Abuja. ISBN 978 978-50745-1-2. 

7. Musa-Makama A.L. and Onwualu A. P. 2011. Fundamentals of Agricultural Crop Drying. Mastermind Communications. ISBN 978-37045-9-2. 

8. Onwualu, A. P.., Akubuo, C. O. and Ahaneku, I.E. 2006. Fundamentals of Engineering for Agriculture. SNAAP Press and Publishers, Enugu. ISBN 978 036-133-2 397 pgs. 

9. Offiong, A. Oluka, S.I., and Onwualu, A. P. 2002. Principles of Engineering Project Management. SNAAP Press and Publishers, Enugu. ISBN 978-049 364-6. 262 pgs. 

10. Oluka, S.I., Onwualu, A. P. and Eneh, I.I. 1999. Engineer in Society. SNAAP Press and Publishers, Enugu. ISBN 978-2952-35-4. 313 pgs. 

11. Akubuo, C.O. and Onwualu, A. P. 1997. Applied Mechanics. Joehn Publishers, Enugu. ISBN 33560-6-2. 313 pgs. 

PATENTS: 

1. Nwakaire, Joel Nwaeze; Ohagwu Chukwuemeka Jude; Onwualu Azikiwe Peter; and Sochinma Vincent Egoigwe. Development of a continuous process biodiesel production plant. RP: NG/PT/NC/2020/4532. Date of patent: 01/05/2020. Date of sealing: 21/07/2020. Patent and Design Registry. Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja. 

2. Onwualu, Azikiwe Peter, Amonye, M.C. , Bello, A., Ngasoh, F.O., Uzoagba, U.E.J. 2024. Tensioner Pulley actuated Intermediate Shaft Multiple Banana Fibre Extractor. Filing Date: 10/3/2024 1:45:58 PM. File No: NG/PT/NC/O/2024/14619. Payment ID: 251126384028. System ID: 2857612c-8240-4d9e-b76e-e6bf21ccd4e4. Patent and Design Registry Commercial Law Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja. Date of sealing: 11-11-2024. 

3. Onwualu, Azikiwe Peter, Amonye, M.C. , Bello, A., Ngasoh, F.O., Uzoagba, U.E.J. 2024. Manual Flywheel Banana Fibre Extraction Machine. Filing Date: 21/10/2024 12:02:55. File No: NG/PT/NC/O/2024/14793. System ID: 8d1c2636 b362-43db-aaf9-d2e88ad76d9e Patent and Design Registry Commercial Law Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja. Date of Sealing: 16-01-2025. 

4. Onwualu, Azikiwe Peter; Amonye, Michael Chukwuemeka; Olufemi, Pius Olugbenga; Bello,Abdulhakeem; Obianyo, Ifeyinwa Ijeoma; Aperebo, Michael; Mozie, Michael. 2025. Banana Stem Longitudinal Slicing Machine. RP NG/PT/NC/O/2025/16098. Patent and Design Registry. Date of Patent: 02-06-2025. Commercial Law Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja. Date of Sealing 12/03/2025. 

JOURNAL ARTICLES (2024-2025) : 

1. Musa, A.A.; Bello, A.; Adams, S.M.; Onwualu, A.P.; Anye, V.C.; Bello, K.A.; Obianyo, I.I. 2025. Nano-Enhanced Polymer Composite Materials: A Review of Current Advancements and Challenges. Polymers 2025, 17, 893. https:// doi.org/10.3390/polym17070893. MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. SCOPUS Indexed. 

2. Nneka Anosike-Francis, Gina Odochi Ihekwemeb, Paschal Ateb Ubi, Ifeyinwa Ijeoma Obianyo, Seun Jesuloluwa, Adekunle Akanni Adeleke, Prabhu Paramasivam, Azikiwe Peter Onwualu and Rasoamalala Vololonirina. 2025. Characterization and assessment of selected agricultural residues of Nigerian origin for building applications. 2025. MATERIAL ENGINEERING, Cogent Engineering. VOL. 12, NO. 1, 2435594. Taylor and Francis, London, England. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2024.2435594. 

3. Chidiebele Uzoagba, Michael Mozie, Abdulhakeem Bello, Rejoice N. Ossei Bremang, Edmund Okoroigwe, Marzieh Kadivar, Fayen Odette Ngasoh, Vitalis O. Anye, Francis Kemausuor, Peter Azikiwe Onwualu (2024). Valorization and Optimization of Prosopis Africana Pod and Cowpea Husk Wastes for Densified Hybrid Briquette Production. Biofuel (Taylor and Francis). https://doi.org/10.1080/17597269.2024.2414150 

4. Chidiebele Uzoagba, Peter A. Onwualu, Edmund Okoroigwe, Marzieh Kadivar, William S. Oribu, Nonhlanhla G. Mguni, Vitalis C. Anye, Abdulhakeem Bello, Michael C. Mozie, Michael Aperebo, Ibukunoluwa A. Adedeji. 2024. A Review of Biomass Valorization for Bioenergy and Rural Electricity Generation in Nigeria. Cureus Journal of Engineering, 1 : e7. DOI 10.7759/7. Springer Nature. https://assets.cureusjournals.com/artifacts/upload/review_article/pdf/65/20240913-33791-qi9efd.pdf 

5. Uzoagba, C.E.J., Okoroigwe, E., Kadivar, M., Anye, V.C., Bello, A., Ezealigo, U., Odette Ngasoh, F., Pereira, H., Azikiwe Onwualu, P., Characterization of Wood, Leaves, Barks, and pod wastes from Prosopis africana biomass for biofuel production, Waste Management Bulletin (2024), doi: https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.wmb.2024.07.007. Elsevier. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949750724000646. 

6. Chidiebele Uzoagba, Abdulhakeem Bello, Marzieh Kadivar , Edmund Okoroigwe , Uchechi S. Ezealigo , Vitalis C. Anye , Francis Kemausuor , Peter A. Onwualu. 2024. Bioenergy Potential Assessment of Crop Residue Biomass Resources in Africa Towards Circular Economy. Cureus DOI: 10.7759/1. Springer Nature. https://assets.cureusjournals.com/artifacts/upload/original_article/pdf/112/202408 17-30391-ea9jfp.pdf. 

7. B. I. Okoli, O.A. Agboola, A.P. Onwualu, A. Bello, O.S. Sholiyi, V.C. Anye, O.T. Yusuf (2024). Zirconia Enrichment of Zircon from Arikya, Nasarawa State, Nigeria by Magnetic and Gravity Separation Processes for Use as Reinforcing Agent in Composite Formulation. Eng 2024, 5(1), 180-197; (DOI: 10.3390/eng5010010). MDPI, https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4117/5/1/10. 

8. Nkechi Elizabeth Offia-Kalu, Simeon Chukwudozie Nwanonenyi, Bello Abdulhakeem, Nelson Yaw Dzade, Peter Azikiwe Onwualu. 2024. Theoretical investigation of electronic, energetic, and mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol/cellulose composite hydrogel electrolyte. Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling. 127, 108667. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108667. 

9. Abdulrahman Adeiza Musa, Azikiwe Peter Onwualu. 2024. Potential of lignocellulosic fiber reinforced polymer composites for automobile parts production: Current knowledge, research needs, and future direction. Heliyon 10 (2024) e24683. Cell Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24683. 

PROF. PETER AZIKIWE ONWUALU NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

1. President, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja (2024-date, Acting President, 2021-2024). 

2. Board Member, International Soil Tillage Research Organization, ISTRO (2022-date). 

3. President, Soil Tillage Awareness Initiative (Nigeria Chapter of International Soil Tillage Research Organization, ISTRO-Nigeria), 2022-date. 

4. Co-PI, IDRC/ATPS/AUST project on Strengthening Research Funding Agencies in West Africa (2023-date). 

5. PI, NASENI Delta 2 Project on Agrowaste Conversion Technologies (2023-date) 

6. President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Lagos (2022-2024). 

7. Team Lead, AUSTInspire Innovation Project funded by PASET, World Bank.2020 date. 

8. Member Board of Directors, African Technology Policy Studies (ATPS) Network, Nairobi, Kenya.(2019-date) 

9. 2018-2021:Focal Point (at AUST), World Bank funded project - Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET), AUST, Abuja. 

10. 2017 – date: Co-Centre Leader, Pan African Materials Institute (PAMI), African University of Science and Technology, Abuja. (World Bank Funded Project). 

11. Member National Research Fund (NRF) Committee, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, Nigeria. (2019 – 2022). 

12. Chairman, Technical Board, Engineering Materials Development Institute, Akure, under the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure 2021 2023. 

13. Director, Academic Planning, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja.2017 – 2021. 

14. Director General/CEO, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC). Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria.2005-2013. 

15. Director, Engineering Infrastructure, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, Abuja, Nigeria.2003-2005. 

16. Principal Investigator, NASENI Delta2 Project on Agrowaste Conversion Technologies at AUST.(2023-date). 

17. Co-PI, IDRC/ATPS/AUST Project on Strengthening the National Research and Innovation Funding Agencies in West Africa (SRIFA). (2023-date). 

18. PI, Institutional Innovation Grant, “From research to Markets: strengthening innovation capacity of AUSTInspire”. Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering ($50,000).2020-2023 

19. Focal Point (at AUST), World Bank funded Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET), AUST, Abuja. 2018-2021. 

20. Co-Centre Leader, Pan African Materials Institute (PAMI), African Centre of Excellence in Materials funded by the World Bank. US$8,000,000.00 (2017 to 2021)