The African University of Science and Technology, AUST, Abuja, has appointed seven distinguished scholar-practitioners as Senior Research Fellows of its Centre for Peace and African Studies, CEPACS, to reposition the centre as a continental hub for leadership, research, and policy engagement.
The new fellows are Dr. Jerry Uchenna Nwohu, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Ambassador Dr. Okon, Dr. Maryam Yakubu, and three other eminent professionals.
AUST said the appointments recognize professional excellence, leadership pedigree, and sustained commitment to Pan-African ideals, peacebuilding, African development, and strategic policy dialogue.
Leading the cohort is Dr. Jerry Uchenna Nwohu, a strategic scholar-practitioner at the intersection of peacebuilding, national security, and statecraft. He holds a Ph.D. in Security and Strategic Studies from Nasarawa State University, Master’s degrees from the University of Leicester, UK, and in Peace and Conflict Studies, and a Policy Analysis certification from the London School of Economics.
With over two decades of public service, Dr. Nwohu has served as Special Assistant on Food Security at the Presidency, Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Consultant to the Senate and NIPSS, Investment Consultant at the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow, and Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He is joined by Dr. Dakuku Peterside, former DG of NIMASA and public sector reform expert; Ambassador Dr. Okon, a career diplomat with extensive AU experience; and Dr. Maryam Yakubu, a development economist focused on gender-inclusive governance. The remaining three bring expertise in defence, regional integration, and STI policy.
The seven will drive CEPACS’ five strategic goals: leadership, research and policy intelligence, policy design, partnerships, and resource mobilisation.
Speaking at the investiture panel on “Advancing African Development Through Leadership, Research and Policy,” Dr. Nwohu cited Africa’s governance deficit, quoting Barack Obama’s 2009 call for “strong institutions, not strongmen.”
He noted AU’s 62% implementation of Agenda 2063 and less than 6% progress on SDGs, and warned that personal rule undermines institutions. He called for “African Solutions to African Problems” through stronger institutions and evidence-based research — the core mandate of the new fellows.