Owerri, Nigeria. July 31, 2026
Professor Emeka Emmanuel Oguzie, FAS, completed his tenure as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Development and Innovation, at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, on 31 July 2026, having served the two terms permitted under the University’s regulations.
Professor Oguzie led the development of the University’s research and innovation agenda over that period, strengthening institutional research systems, expanding national and international collaborations, and raising FUTO’s standing within Nigeria’s research and higher-education landscape. He had earlier served as Director of the Centre for Research and International Development, CRID, where much of the groundwork was laid.
His five years in office coincided with a marked expansion of research activity at FUTO. External research income grew by more than 2,000 per cent. Publication output by staff and students rose substantially, particularly in Scopus-indexed journals, contributing to the University’s first appearance in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2024, at 14th in Nigeria, a position that has since risen to joint 11th
Professor Oguzie led the development of the University’s research and innovation agenda over that period, strengthening institutional research systems, expanding national and international collaborations, and raising FUTO’s standing within Nigeria’s research and higher-education landscape. He had earlier served as Director of the Centre for Research and International Development, CRID, where much of the groundwork was laid.
His tenure also coincided with major progress at the Africa Centre of Excellence in Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems, ACE-FUELS, which he founded and continues to lead. The Centre has grown into an internationally connected platform for postgraduate education, advanced research, capacity building and technology development, with work spanning next-generation solar technologies, batteries and energy storage, hydrogen, corrosion and materials protection, nanotechnology, electrochemical systems and energy entrepreneurship. It has attracted major international partnerships and research programmes involving universities, development institutions and industry partners across Africa, Europe and beyond.
Among the milestones of the period was the establishment and commissioning of ElectroLab-X, an advanced research and innovation facility supporting energy materials research, device development, postgraduate training, industrial services and technology translation.
Reflecting on the transition, Professor Oguzie thanked the University leadership, staff, students, research teams, partners and stakeholders who contributed to the progress recorded during his tenure.
“The achievement I value most does not appear on any dashboard,” he said. “Our people began to believe in their own capabilities: that they could develop competitive ideas, build strong partnerships, attract serious funding and produce work of global relevance.”
He noted that leaving the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s office allows him to devote greater attention to the next phase of ACE-FUELS. The Centre’s priorities include delivering its major international projects, strengthening its research and technology platforms, expanding postgraduate and professional training, deepening industry engagement, and accelerating innovation and commercialization, with the longer aim of establishing ACE-FUELS as a leading African hub for future-energy research, skills development and technology deployment.
Professor Oguzie remains committed to supporting FUTO’s research and innovation aspirations and to building partnerships that contribute to Nigeria’s and Africa’s energy transition.
The ACE-FUELS community congratulates Professor Emeka Emmanuel Oguzie on the completion of his tenure and looks forward to the next phase of growth, innovation and impact under his leadership
