Personal Information

Prof Vincent I. Okudoh was born in Ogidi, Anambra State, Nigeria and attended the Merchants of Light School, Oba, whose motto is to 'show the light'. He did his Bachelor's degree at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). After his degree in 1990, he was posted for his National Youth Service (NYSC) to the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi as a Junior lecturer.  From 1991 to 1996, he worked for two multinational pharmaceutical companies (WYETH/Delpitano and REGENT Pharmaceuticals) as a Medical Representative and Sales Executive, respectively, before going abroad to join academia. He is currently a National Research Foundation (NRF) C-rated Scientist and a Specialist in Waste-to-Energy Research with over 20 years of experience in teaching, research, postgraduate supervision and industry engagement. Prof Okudoh is an established, well-rounded scientist with demonstrated ability to develop and implement sustainable solutions to climate change and waste pollution by providing data-driven, clean and affordable biogas energy in both cities and rural areas. He leads research on Biofuels, Biomaterials (Nanotechnology) and Environmental Biotechnology and owns a state-of-the-art biogas laboratory [Waste2EnergyLab (W2EL)] that produces top-quality results and students. A member of several local and international professional bodies, includingSouthern Africa Biogas Industry Association (SABIA) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). He speaks at high-level international bioenergy conferences such as the World Biogas Industry Association (WBA), African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Service committees on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy, as well as Biogas Industry Associations in Canada, Australia, the USA, and the United Kingdom. He contributed to the SA Biofuel policy andto the first technical report on the Status of Waste to Energy Research in South Africa sponsored by the South African German Energy Network (SAGEN) and the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Renewable Energy Centre for Research and Development (RECORD). And has appeared in several press releases on biogas: Elsevier Africa, Eastern Cape Industrial & Business News, Anaerobic Digestion Blog, Engineering News SA, Farmer’s Weekly SA, etc. An author of a book titled “Biogas Production in Africa: Benefit Potentials of Cassava Biomass” and several journal articles. He pioneered, designed, and set up a Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) funded 3m3 biogas pilot plant (biodigester) to convert winery solid waste and wastewater with the potential to provide decentralised electricity, heat, and clean cooking for rural dwellers around South Africa and Africa. A convener of biogas training workshops in collaboration with the Southern Africa Biogas Industry Association (SABIA).