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.
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 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.
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
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 Distance 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
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]
