Alongside his academic research, Kanu works to improve the representation of minority students in science. He leads undergraduate research programmes and supports student chapters of the American Chemical Society and National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. Kanu leads the annual Extreme Forensic Instrumentation Experience Lab at Winston-Salem State University, which sees high school seniors take part in a research project themed around a crime drama. He works with "Chemists Without Borders" to introduce young people in Sierra Leone to practical chemistry skills and help to rebuild the education system after the Civil War. As part of this work, Kanu created affordable green chemistry lab kits, which included materials and manuals.