Prof James Chukwuma Ogbonna

VICE CHANCELLOR

James Chukwuma Ogbonna is a professor of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Nigeria Nsukka. He obtained a B. Sc. (First Class honours in Botany) from University of Jos (1982, Nigeria; Certificate in Japanese Language and Culture from Osaka University of Foreign Studies, Japan (1986); M. Eng. (Fermentation Technology) from Yamanashi University, Japan (1988); and Ph.D from University of Tsukuba, Japan (1991). He has served as the Head of Department of Biochemistry/Biotechnology, Ebonyi State University (2002-2003); the Dean, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Ebonyi State University (2003-2005), and the Director, Biotechnology Research and Development Centre, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki (2005-2006). He was also the Head of Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria Nsukka (2007-2010), the Director, National Biotechnology Development Agency, South East Zonal Biotechnology Centre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2014-2020), the Academic Director, Lion Roar Hub Nigeria (2017-2020), and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), University of Nigeria Nsukka (2016-2020). He was the National President, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (2010-2014) and the current President, the Foundation for African Development through International Biotechnology(2006-Date).

His current research interests include photobioreactor design and optimization, development of microbial cell culture systems and applications, and bio-energy production. He has 1 patent, 1 Inaugural lecture, 3 Books, 4 Edited books, 1 Translated book (from Japanese to English), 19 Book chapters, 137 Journal articles, 9 Reviewed conference proceedings, and 1 Commissioned report. He has presented more than 120 conference papers in over 13 countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Italy, Spain, Hong Kong, USA, Hawaii Island, Japan, Korea, China, Netherlands, Britain, and Denmark. With a current H-index of 36 and over 4,852 citations in Google Scholars, Prof Ogbonna is among the top 50 Scientists in Nigerian Institutions according to their GSC public profiles, he is listed among the World’s top 2% Scientists as released by Stanford University in 2020 (https://www.adscientificindex.com/top-lists/?i=24). He is currently a member of the Ashinaga Kenjin-Tatsujin International Advisory Committee on Ashinaga Africa Initiative and won Japanese Foreign Ministers Commendation Award for the promotion of the relationship between Nigeria and Japan in 2020.

Prof. Ogbonna is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science; a Fellow, at the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria; Fellow at, the Foundation for African Development through International Biotechnology; a Fellow, the Institute of Corporative Administration; and a Fellow University of Nigeria Business School.