Prof. Esther Uwidia Ikhuoria

Esther Uwidia Ikhuoria is a Professor of Materials/Industrial Chemistry at the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. She started her academic career as an Assistant Lecturer at the Nigerian Defense Academy Kaduna, Nigeria in 1990. She joined the services of the University of Benin in 1993 as Lecturer II and rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Chemistry in 2008. She is the first female in the Department of Chemistry and the Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Benin to attain the position of a Professor. She was appointed as Head of the Department of Chemistry in 2012, a position she held till 2015. She therefore became the first and only female to hold that position since the Department was founded in 1970 till date. She also held other administrative positions at the University of Benin including being the Director of the Central Research Laboratory from July 1st 2021- June 30th 2023.

She is the recipient of the following awards: Best female graduate in Chemistry in 1986, Bendel State University; Nanosciences African Network Fellowship, 2010; The World Academy of Sciences-United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Oganisation (TWAS – UNESCO) Associateship, 2010, 2014; FULBRIGHT Fellowship (African Senior Research Scholar), 2011; Award of Honour, Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), 2012, 2019; Award of Excellence, Students Union Government, University of Benin, 2014; Merit Award, Material Science and Technology Society of Nigeria (MSN), 2017. She was appointed by the Edo State Governor as a member of the Special Intervention Team to Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma in 2021. In August, 2022, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR appointed her as a member of the Governing Board of Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Abuja, Nigeria. A position she held until June 2023.


Prof. (Mrs.) Ikhuoria has actively demonstrated her leadership qualities in her professional organisations. She was the National President, Material Science and Technology Society of Nigeria (MSN) from 2018 -2022. She was the Chairperson, Benin Branch of MSN, 2016-2018, National Treasurer of MSN from 2006 – 2010 and National Vice President of MSN, (Materials Science), 2010 – 2014. She was also the President of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), University of Benin branch from 2014 - 2016. She is a member of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, USA. Her immense contributions to research and development have earned her recognition by professional bodies: (i) Fellow, Materials Science and Technology Society of Nigeria (FMSN), (ii) Fellow, Chemical Society of Nigeria (FCSN), (iii) Fellow, Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (FICCON) and (iv) Fellow, Polymer Institute of Nigeria (FPIN).

Prof. (Mrs.) Esther U. Ikhuoria is a seasoned scholar, researcher and a respected academic with over 130 publications. She has supervised nine (9) Ph.D students and several others are at various stages of their work. She is an editor/reviewer to reputable Journals, external examiner and professorial accessor to many Universities. She is happily married to her amiable and loving husband, Prof. Isi Ambrose Ikhuoria and they are blessed with children who are now grown up and accomplished professionals.