Professor Peter Onwualu is the President of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, Nigeria, where he also serves as a Professor and Coordinator of the Materials Science and Engineering Programme. With over a decade of academic leadership at AUST, he has played a pivotal role in advancing postgraduate research and innovation across the continent. Prior to his current role, he served as Acting President of the university from October 2021 to January 2025, guiding institutional strategy and fostering international collaborations. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, Halifax, Canada, earned in 1991.

Beyond academia, Professor Onwualu has held several influential positions in Nigeria’s science and innovation ecosystem. He was Director General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) from 2005 to 2013, and earlier served as Director of Engineering Infrastructure at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). His contributions also extend to policy and advisory roles, including his tenure as Visiting Professor in Research and Innovation Studies at the National Universities Commission (NUC). With expertise in strategic planning, sustainable development, and international development, Professor Onwualu continues to shape innovation-led research and capacity building across Africa.