# Peter Okebukola

Peter Akinsola Okebukola OFR (born 17 February 1948) is a Nigerian academic, researcher, and administrator. He holds the position of distinguished professor of science and computer education at Lagos State University (LASU) and has been contributing to academia since 1984. He serves as the chairman of council at Crawford University and holds the presidency of the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNi-Africa), a network fostering innovation and social responsibility in African higher education. Okebukola is a recipient of the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Communication of Science in 1992 — the first African to achieve such recognition for outstanding contributions to science popularisation.

## Early life and education

Born on 17 February 1948 in Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria, Okebukola embarked on his educational journey at St. Malachy's College, Sapele, Delta State, culminating in the acquisition of his GCE Advanced Level certificate at Remo Secondary School, Sagamu, Ogun State, in 1969. He attended University of Ibadan, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1973, master's degree in 1979, and doctoral degree in 1984—all in Science Education. With a specialisation in biology education, curriculum development, and evaluation, Okebukola further honed his skills through specialised science and technology training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University in Cambridge, USA.

## Career

Okebukola began working as an account supervisor at the Nigerian Explosives and Plastics Company, Lagos, in 1969. Transitioning to education, he assumed the role of a science teacher at Holy Saviour's College, Mushin, Nigeria, in 1970, progressing to become the head of the science department at Ososo Grammar School, Ososo, Nigeria, in 1973. He served as the head of the science department at C.A.C. Teacher's College, Efon-Alaye, Nigeria, from 1974 to 1978. In 1978, he joined the Oyo State College of Education, Ilesa, Nigeria, as a senior lecturer in science education, where he taught courses in biology education, science curriculum and evaluation, and educational research methods.
Okebukola's association with Lagos State University (LASU) began in 1984 when he assumed the role of the director of the science education department. Progressing through the academic ranks, he became a professor of science and computer education in 1989. His range of courses includes science education, computer education, environmental education, e-learning, quality assurance in higher education, and educational evaluation. He has supervised more than 100 doctoral students and over 200 master's students. He has been dean of the faculty of education, director of the centre for environmental sciences, director of the centre for general Nigerian studies, director of the centre for planning studies, and chairman of the committee of deans. In 2017, he was appointed as a distinguished professor of science and computer education at LASU.
Okebukola serves as the chairman of council at Crawford University, a position he has held since 2015. Additionally, he is chairman of the board of trustees at Caleb University, another private university in Lagos State, Nigeria. He is a member of the board of trustees of Bells University of Technology, Afe Babalola University, and National Open University of Nigeria. He leads the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNi-Africa) since 2000 and serves as the executive chairman of the Okebukola Science Foundation, a non-governmental organisation championing science education and research in Africa.
Okebukola has served as a consultant to UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Bank, UNDP, the African Union, the Association of African Universities, and the International Council of Associations for Science Education. He was involved in the development of a pan-African quality assurance and accreditation framework, the establishment of the African Quality Rating Mechanism, and the implementation of the African Higher Education Harmonization Strategy. He has been a lead facilitator, delivering online training to over 10,000 academics in 62 universities across Africa and spearheaded the e-learning program for federal civil servants in Nigeria, involving over 70,000 participants.
Since 1986, Okebukola has contributed to popularising science in Africa. He has served as a consultant to numerous African countries, aiding in the development and implementation of strategies for promoting science education and communication. Additionally, he has produced and hosted several radio and television programs on science and technology, as well as written works, including books and articles on science education and communication.

## Research

Okebukola is credited as the originator of the culture-techno-contextual (CTC) approach to science teaching and learning. This pedagogical framework, conceived in the late 1980s and early 1990s, integrates cultural, technological, and environmental elements into science education. Okebukola's research, rooted in exploration of eco-cultural influences on science learning, underscores the efficacy of the CTC approach in enhancing students' interest, motivation, achievement, and retention in science. Okebukola advocates for the widespread adoption and adaptation of the CTC approach in science curricula, textbooks, teacher education, and assessment.
Okebukola's research portfolio encompasses diverse areas such as computers in education and e-learning, co-operative learning, metacognitive strategies in science education, environmental education, quality assurance in higher education, and educational evaluation. His scholarly output includes over 160 internationally published works and more than 200 national and international conference presentations. Okebukola has been an editor or editorial board member for several national and international journals in science, computer, and environmental education. He received the 1992 UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Communication of Science, the 1994 Distinguished Researcher Award from the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria, and the 1997 Distinguished Researcher Award from the National Association for Environmental Education.

## Awards and honours

* 1989 Gold Medal from the International Council of Associations for Science Education, the 1991 Gold Medal from the International Society for Technology in Education, and the 1993 Gold Medal from the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement.
* UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Communication of Science, awarded by UNESCO in 1992, recognising outstanding contributions to the popularisation of science. Okebukola is the first African recipient of this award.
* Honorary doctor-of-science degrees from the University of Jos, Nigeria (2000), University of Ilorin, Nigeria (2001), University of Uyo, Nigeria (2002), University of Abuja, Nigeria (2003), and the University of Benin, Nigeria (2004).
* Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), conferred by the President of Nigeria in 2004.

## Personal life

Okebukola is married to Olufunmilayo Okebukola, a professor of sociology and former dean of the faculty of social sciences at LASU. The couple has four children. A Christian, Okebukola is a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.