Engr. Prof. Peter Azikiwe Onwualu, FAS,FMSN,FAEng,FNSE was born on 27th April,1959 in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He holds B.Eng., M.Eng., and PhD degrees in Agricultural engineering. His main areas of interest in Research and Development include; Engineering properties of Materials, Agricultural and Mineral Raw Materials, Engineering and Technology management, Science, Technology, Innovation policy, Biomass Valorization, Bioenergy, Biofuels renewable energy amongst others. He has to his credit over   250 scientific publications.

Engr. Professor Onwualu was one-time Director of Engineering infrastructure at NASENI. He was the Director-General, RMRDC between 2005 to 2013 and he currently serves as the Acting President of African University of Science and Technology (AUST).  He is a fellow of 12 professional bodies and a serving member of the National Research Fund Committee, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Abuja, Nigeria. He has board experience with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council and African Technology Policy Studies Network.

Professor Onwualu is also Chairman of various accreditation panels for National Universities Commission and he is currently Vice President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering amongst many other major appointments he holds. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors (Technical) Engineering Materials Development Institute, Akure.