Engr. Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu obtained the B.Eng. degree in Agricultural Engineering with first class honours in 1982 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He later obtained M.Eng., degree in the same field and discipline in 1986. The PhD degree was obtained from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, Halifax, Canada in 1991. He joined the services of University of Nigeria, Nsukka as a Graduate Assistant in 1983 and rose through the ranks to Professor in 1999.
Over the years, he has worked in the areas of: agricultural power and machinery, agro-processing machinery, biomass engineering and processing of industrial raw materials, and Science, Technology and Innovation policy.
He was Head, Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2000-2003), Director, Engineering Infrastructure, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, Abuja (2003-2005), Director General/CEO, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Abuja (2005-2013) and Visiting Professor, National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja (2014-2015).
He was: Coordinator, Science Technology and Innovation (STI) thematic group of Vision 20-2020, Chairman, Committee of Directors of Research Institutes of Nigeria (CODRI) (2010-2013) and member National Research Fund (NRF), Committee of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFund 2019-2022).
At the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), he was: Head, Materials Science and Engineering Programme; Director, Academic Planning; Centre leader, Pan African Materials Institute (PAMI), African Centre of Excellence in Materials; Focal Point, Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) and Team Lead, AUST-PASET project “From Research to Markets: strengthening the innovation capacity of AUSTInspire)”.
He is currently the Acting President of African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, member, Board of Directors of African Technology Policy Studies (ATPS) network, Nairobi, and Chairman, Technical Board of Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI) Akure.
Professor Onwualu has received many awards including: Presidential merit award, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Individual Honours Award, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Abuja branch; Award of Excellence by Nigeria Institute of Physics, Most Distinguished Agricultural Engineer of the Year by Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers.
He is a Fellow of 12 professional bodies, including: Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers; Polymer Institute of Nigeria, Materials Science and Technology Society of Nigeria, Solar Energy Society of Nigeria, Agricultural Society of Nigeria, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Institute of Management, Nigeria Academy of Science and currently the 12th President, Nigeria Academy of Engineering (2022 – 2024).
