Olufemi Ayinde Peters (born 11 May 1956) is a Nigerian academic and researcher, who is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).[1][2][3][4] He is also the first Vice President of The African Council for Distance Education (ACDE).[5][6]

Olufemi Peters
Vice Chancellor
National Open University of Nigeria
Assuming office
11 February 2021
SucceedingAbdalla Uba Adamu
Personal details
Born (1956-05-11) 11 May 1956 (age 67)
Ebute Metta, Lagos State, Nigeria
Alma materUniversity of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology

Early life and education edit

Olufemi Ayinde Peters was born on 11 May 1956 at Ebute Metta, Lagos State Nigeria to Egba parents who were originally from Alagbado in Ifo Local Government in Ogun State.

Peters attended the University of Ibadan for a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry between 1976 and 1979. He obtained a Master of Science degree in Polymer Science and Technology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1982.

He later obtained a Ph.D. degree in degradation and stabilization from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) England in 1988.

Academic career edit

Peters started his teaching career at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as a graduate assistant in 1982. He joined the services of the National Open University of Nigeria in 2003 as an associate professor and later became the first scholar to be promoted to the rank of professor in the history of the university in 2006.

At Ahmadu Bello University, Peters contributed to undergraduate teaching within the Department/Faculty in the general area of physical chemistry such as; The Chemistry of Industrial Raw Materials; Polymer Chemistry; and Chemical thermodynamics; Protein and Carbohydrate Chemistry; Quantum Chemistry; Petroleum Refining Processes; Rubber Technology, and Petrochemical Processes II.

Contributed to Postgraduate teaching within the Department/Faculty in the general area of Polymer Degradation and stabilization.

He served as an external Examiner for a number of Doctoral thesis and was at various times, a panel member for accreditation exercises for educational regulatory bodies such as; the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB); National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE); National Board for Technical Education (NABTEB); and National Universities Commission (NUC) respectively.

He also served variously as member and Chairman of a number of committees at both Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) and for the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) respectively.

Public service edit

Olufemi Peters was appointed as Executive Director and Chief Executive officer of the Nigerian Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI) on 4 February 2014.[7][8] The NSPRI is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

At NSPRI, Peters led a team of researchers to patent two of the institution's research findings, one of which is NSPRIDUST,[9] a Diatomaceous Earth (DE) that is effectively useful as a grain protectant without side effects for humans.

During his tenure as CEO of NSPRI, the institute also designed and constructed a 5-tonne parabolic solar dryer for grains, fruits, and vegetables.[9]

At the expiration of his tenure at the NSPRI, Peters returns to the National Open University of Nigeria on 7 January 2019 and was subsequently elected as Vice-Chancellor of the University, and assumed duty on 11 February 2021.[1][10]

Open, distance, and e-learning (ODeL) activities edit

Peters had his first exposure to ODL as a member of the Committee on Development of course materials for effective Teaching at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Due to his grasp of the concept, he was made Lead Facilitator to faculty of Sciences, Pharmacy, Environmental Science, and Engineering that trained Staff on development of course materials in the University.

In the year 2002, Peters was part of a pool of academics invited to develop the curriculum and course materials for the yet-to be resuscitated National Open University of Nigeria, and that is the beginning of his sojourn into Open and Distance Learning.

He joined the National Open University of Nigeria on 3 February 2003 as an associate professor to become the first scholar to be promoted to a full professor in the University in 2006.

At the National Open University of Nigeria, he served as Program coordinator, Faculty Lecturer and Administrator at various levels. He was instrumental to the tremendous success of the University Administration under Vice-Chancellorship of Professor O. Jegede and Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe.

Peters was the pioneer Dean, School of Science and Technology, now referred to as Faculty of Sciences. He also served as pioneer Director of Examination and Assessment (DEA) where he established the Examination Office for the University. The concept of On-Demand-Examination was developed and successfully executed during his tenure as Director.

He later served as Director Academic Planning (DAP) where he positively impacted on the University as Chairman of the Committee that wrote and produced the first Academic brief for the University.

Professor Olufemi Peters was appointed as the first Deputy Vice-Chancellor by the University Council, although the only Deputy Vice-Chancellor at that time, he was able to combine the Academic and Administrative portfolios, until a later date when a Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration was appointed.

At the international level, Peters served as Lead Consultant to the Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, Canada, and lead facilitated four different African Universities as well as ten Nigerian Universities respectively on policy formulation; Quality Assurance; Dual mode learning, and on the setting up of Open and Disttance Learning centers in various Universities.

He spent a sabbatical leave from NOUN as a visiting Professor to University of Lagos from 22 February 2011 to 21 February 2012 where he also contributed to teaching within the Department/Faculty in the general area of physical chemistry.

Selected works edit

  • Evaluation of four variant diatomaceous earths and a commercial DE Insecto against Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) on two varieties of stored cowpea in Nigeria[11][12]
  • Development of effective drying technology for quality enhancement of whitings fish (Merlangius merlangius)[13]
  • Development of Appropriate Packaging for Shelf Life Extension of Smoked Fish in a Developing Economy[11]
  • Kinetics of the reduction of rosaniline hydrochloride with sulphite ion in aqueous perchloric acid[14]
  • The thermooxidative degradation of poly(vinylchloride): 3. The stabilising action of dibutyltin maleate and trisnitro (1,3-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-2-nitropropane). Effect of outdoor exposure on PVC[15]
  • Competency Development for assuring Quality in Open and Distance Learning in Nigeria[16]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Professor Olufemi Peters emerges as NOUN's VC". Vanguard News. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Prof Olufemi Peters takes over as NOUN VC". Daily Trust. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Olufemi Peters emerges new VC of National Open University". TVC News Nigeria. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Professor Olufemi A. Peters | National Open University of Nigeria". www.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  5. ^ "ACDE". acde-afri.org. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Olufemi Peters". ICDE. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Professor Olufemi Peters". BizNis Africa. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Research Institutes in Nigeria boost Aquaculture under WAAPP – Give Food". Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Farmers can now fast-dry grains, store produce for 3 years – NSPRI". Daily Trust. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  10. ^ Emmanuel, Afonne (11 February 2021). "Peters assumes office as new NOUN VC". NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Development of Appropriate Packaging for Shelf Life Extension of Smoked Fish in a Developing Economy". www.fisheriesjournal.com. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  12. ^ Okonkwo, Egobude & Osegbo, Adaora & Omodara, Michael & Ogundare, Moses & Abel, G.I. & Nwaubani, Samuel & Otitodun, Grace & Atibioke, Oluwatoyin & Olagunju, Oluwaseun & Peters, Olufemi. (2018). "Evaluation of four variant diatomaceous earths and a commercial DE Insecto against Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) on two varieties of stored cowpea in Nigeria". Journal of Stored Products and Postharvest Research. 9: 87–97.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Olayemi, F.; Oyewole, S.; Omodara, M.; Ade, A.; Adetunji, C.; Omopariolaand, F.; Olufemi, P. (2017). "Development of effective drying technology for quality enhancement of whitings fish (Merlangius merlangius)". Agronomie Africaine. 29 (1): 91–98. ISSN 1015-2288. S2CID 134167756.
  14. ^ Babatunde, O. A.; Iyun, J. F.; Peters, O. A. (10 November 2004). "Kinetics of the reduction of rosaniline hydrochloride with sulphite ion in aqueous perchloric acid". Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences. 10 (4): 555–561. doi:10.4314/gjpas.v10i4.16438. ISSN 1118-0579.
  15. ^ Turoti, M.; Adeniyi, J.B; Olayemi, J.Y; Peters, O.A (1 February 1999). "The thermooxidative degradation of poly(vinylchloride): 3. The stabilising action of dibutyltin maleate and trisnitro (1,3-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-2-nitropropane). Effect of outdoor exposure on PVC". Polymer Degradation and Stability. 63 (2): 341–347. doi:10.1016/S0141-3910(98)00050-0. ISSN 0141-3910.
  16. ^ Peters, Olufemi; Ofulue, Christine I. (November 2010). "Competency Development for assuring Quality in Open and Distance Learning in Nigeria". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)