Founding Department · Faculty of Science

Advancing the Science of Matter in Africa

A leading centre for chemical education, research, and innovation in Africa — home to 24 Professors and over 650 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

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60+
Years
24
Professors
650+
Students
100+
Publications/yr
Organic Chemistry Physical Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry Analytical Chemistry Applied/Industrial Chemistry Materials & Nanochemistry Environmental Chemistry Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry Sustainable Chemical Technologies Organic Chemistry Physical Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry Analytical Chemistry Applied/Industrial Chemistry Materials & Nanochemistry Environmental Chemistry Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry Sustainable Chemical Technologies
About the Department

A Legacy of Scientific Leadership

Welcome to the Department of Chemistry at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. We are a leading centre for chemical education, research, and innovation in Africa.

As one of the founding departments of the University, the Department of Chemistry has maintained a tradition of academic excellence for more than six decades. Today, it stands as the largest department in the Faculty of Science, with a distinguished faculty that includes twenty-four Professors and a team of accomplished scholars across the core disciplines of Organic, Physical, Inorganic, Analytical, and Applied/Industrial Chemistry.

Located in the Physical Sciences Building — popularly known as the "White House" — the Department has produced generations of distinguished alumni who contribute to academia, industry, government, and entrepreneurship across Nigeria and around the world.

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Department Building
Physical Sciences Building · OAU Ile-Ife
Head of Department
Head of Department's Message

Excellence in Teaching & Research

Prof. Temitope Oloruntoba OLOMOLA
Head of Department, Department of Chemistry

Our mission is to advance the frontiers of chemical science through world-class teaching, impactful research, and international collaboration. We provide rigorous undergraduate and postgraduate training designed to produce highly skilled chemists capable of addressing global challenges in health, energy, environmental sustainability, materials science, and industrial innovation.

Our faculty members maintain an active and vibrant research culture, collectively producing more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications annually in reputable international journals. Through these efforts, the Department contributes to solving pressing societal and industrial challenges while advancing fundamental scientific knowledge.

Our academic community currently includes over 600 undergraduate students and more than 50 postgraduate students pursuing Master's and Doctoral degrees. We welcome you to explore what our Department has to offer.

Research Focus Areas

Where Curiosity Meets Discovery

🧪

Materials & Nanochemistry

Synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials, biomaterials, and functional polymers with applications in energy storage, sensors, and drug delivery systems.

🌿

Environmental Chemistry

Monitoring and remediation of pollutants in Nigerian water bodies and soils, phytoremediation studies, and sustainable green chemistry practices.

🌱

Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry

Isolation and synthesis of bioactive natural products from African plants, medicinal chemistry targeting tropical diseases including malaria and trypanosomiasis.

📊

Analytical Instrumentation

Development of novel analytical methods, electrochemical sensors, chromatographic techniques, and quality control standards for food and pharmaceutical industries.

⚙️

Industrial & Green Chemistry

Process chemistry and unit operations, sustainable synthesis methodologies, and green chemistry practices relevant to Nigeria's industrial development.

♻️

Sustainable Chemical Technologies

Developing chemical solutions addressing energy, environmental sustainability, and industrial innovation challenges across West Africa and beyond.

Academic Programmes

Pathways to a Chemistry Career

We offer rigorous undergraduate and postgraduate programmes designed to produce highly skilled chemists capable of addressing global challenges.

Undergraduate

B.Sc. Chemistry

A rigorous programme covering all branches of chemistry with strong practical training and elective specialisation in areas aligned with industry and research needs.

  • Organic, Inorganic, Physical & Analytical cores
  • Industrial Chemistry electives
  • Final-year research project
  • SIWES industrial attachment
Undergraduate

B.Sc. Industrial Chemistry

Bridges pure chemistry and industry, equipping graduates for roles in manufacturing, quality control, petrochemicals, and chemical engineering sectors.

  • Process chemistry & unit operations
  • Polymer and petrochemical chemistry
  • Industrial attachment
  • Entrepreneurship & innovation modules
Postgraduate

M.Sc. Chemistry

Advanced coursework and independent research leading to a master's degree. Students may specialise in any of the department's active research areas.

  • Coursework + dissertation
  • Specialisation across all research areas
  • Seminar and conference participation
  • International research collaboration
Postgraduate

Ph.D. Chemistry

Original research contributing new knowledge to the chemical sciences, supervised by experienced faculty with global academic links.

  • 3–5 year research programme
  • International collaborations
  • Peer-reviewed publication requirement
  • Funding & fellowship opportunities
Purpose & Direction

Vision & Mission

🔭 Our Vision

To be a globally recognized centre of excellence in chemical education, research, and innovation, contributing transformative solutions to scientific, industrial, and societal challenges.

🎯 Our Mission

To advance chemical knowledge through innovative research, high-quality teaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement, while training graduates who are globally competitive, entrepreneurial, and socially responsible.

Meet Our People

Meet the Department

Our academic staff bring decades of research experience and an unwavering commitment to advancing chemical science in Nigeria and beyond.

Prof. J. A. O. Oyekunle

Prof. John A. O. OYEKUNLE

Ph.D., FCSN

Analytical/Environmental Chemistry

Professor of Chemistry with extensive research in Analytical/Environmental/Industrial Chemistry.

132Publications
13Ph.D Students
30M.Sc./M.Phil.
Dr. Lukman O. Olasunkanmi

Dr. Lukman O. OLASUNKANMI

Associate Professor

Physical Chemistry

Research in corrosion inhibition, quantum chemical calculations, and materials science.

100+Publications
5+Ph.D Students
10+M.Sc./M.Phil.
Prof. M.A. Aderogba

Prof. Mutalib Adeniran ADEROGBA

Professor

Medicinal Natural Products

Expert in organic chemistry and medicinal natural products from plants and marine algae.

80+Publications
3000+Citations
12Students
Prof. O.S. Ajayi

Prof. O.S. AJAYI

Professor

Organic Chemistry/Natural Products

Specialist in phytochemistry and natural products chemistry with extensive teaching experience.

7M.Sc. Students
2Ph.D Students
1M.Phil.
Global Collaboration

Partnerships & Support

The Department actively fosters international research collaborations and academic partnerships with universities, research institutes, and industry worldwide. We welcome strategic partnerships, alumni engagement, industry collaboration, and international research support to help build a vibrant, modern, and globally competitive Department of Chemistry.

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Get in Touch

Contact the Department

📍
Address
Department of Chemistry
Faculty of Science
Obafemi Awolowo University
Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
📞
Phone
+234 (0) 36 230 290
✉️
Email
chemistry@oauife.edu.ng
🕐
Office Hours
Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm WAT
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