Africa Centre of Excellence in Future Energies & Electrochemical Systems

ACE-FUELS Calls for MSc and PhD Applications

We are accepting applications from suitably qualified candidates from Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa, and beyond, for admissions into M.Sc and Ph.D degree programmmes.

Our Programmes:
Electrochemical Technology (MSc & PhD)
Requirements:
A good bachelor's degree in chemical sciences, biological sciences, or engineering. An MSc degree in relevant disciplines is required for PhD.

Future Energies (MSc & PhD)
Requirements:
A good bachelor's degree in physical sciences, or engineering. An MSc degree is required for PhD.

Corrosion Technology (MSc & PhD)
Requirements:
A good bachelor's degree in physical sciences. An MSc degree is required for PhD.

Nanotechnology (MSc & PhD)
Requirements:
A good bachelor's degree in physical sciences, biological sciences, or engineering. An MSc degree is required for PhD.

Energy Management and Entrepreneurship (MSc)
Requirements:
A good bachelor's degree in any discipline.

*Why Choose ACE-FUELS?*
✔ World-Class Research Infrastructure: Students gain hands-on access to ElectroLab-X, ACE-FUELS’ state-of-the-art research facility equipped for cutting-edge research in energy storage, corrosion science, battery and materials development.
✔ Advanced Laboratory Facilities: Our laboratories are designed to support industry-relevant experiments, innovation, and translational research, ensuring students develop practical, high-impact skills alongside strong theoretical foundations.
✔ Research-Driven Training: Programmes are structured to promote problem-solving, innovation, and real-world applications, preparing graduates for academia, industry, and entrepreneurship.
✔ International Exposure and Collaboration: Students benefit from global research networks, conferences, and collaborative opportunities, positioning them competitively on the international stage.
✔ Supportive Academic Environment: ACE-FUELS offers mentorship, research support, and access to funding opportunities to help students excel throughout their postgraduate journey.

Applicants are advised to visit www.acefuels-futo.org/admissions/ to apply.

For more information:
[email protected]

✨ Happy New Year ✨
As we look ahead, ACE-FUELS remains committed to driving innovation, advancing knowledge, and building capacity that delivers impactful and sustainable solutions for society. Through research excellence, training, and strategic partnerships, we will continue to empower individuals and institutions, strengthen systems, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s development and global progress.
Here’s to a year of growth, innovation, and shared success.

Happy New Year! 🎉

Merry Christmas 🎄

IIAS Webinar on Research 7.x — Research for Commercialisation

ACE-FUELS invites academics, postgraduate students, early career researchers, and innovation-oriented scholars to participate in an upcoming IIAS South-East Nigeria Hub Webinar themed:
🎯 “Reimagine Research: Opportunities for Emerging Scholars.”

This webinar will introduce Research 7.x, a pioneering framework initiated by Prof. Emeka E. Oguzie, focused on research for commercialisation. Research 7.x emphasises value realisation by integrating intellectual property (IP), innovation, market readiness, and societal impact into academic research.

🔍 Why you should attend:

Learn how to translate research outcomes into viable products and services

Understand IP, innovation pathways, and market-driven research.

📌 Webinar Details
🎤 Speaker: Prof. Emeka E. Oguzie
📅 Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM WAT | 9:00 AM EST
📝 Registration: https://bit.ly/IIASSouth-EastHubWebinar2025

ACE-FUELS Unveils World-Class Research Facility, ElectroLab-X: FUTO Pro-Chancellor Calls for International-Scale Commissioning

The Africa Centre of Excellence in Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems (ACE-FUELS) at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), has officially unveiled its world-class research facility, the Electrochemical Laboratory for Accelerated Breakthroughs and eXponential Energy Technologies (ElectroLab-X), during the University’s 37th Convocation Ceremony.
The milestone unveiling attracted distinguished attendees, including the Pro-Chancellor, Senator Jack Tilley-Gyado (OFR, CON); the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nnenna N. Oti; Principal Officers of the University; Members of the Governing Council; leading scientists; students; and industry stakeholders.

A Continental Hub for Advanced Clean-Energy Innovation
Welcoming guests, the Centre Leader of ACE-FUELS, Professor Emeka E. Oguzie, emphasized that ElectroLab-X is purpose-built to position FUTO as a continental hub for clean-energy innovation, research excellence, and indigenous technology development.
ElectroLab-X houses a suite of advanced tools for solar cell fabrication, battery development, electrolyzers and fuel cells for hydrogen energy and emerging electrochemical materials research, enabling an end-to-end workflow that spans:
Perovskite solar cell fabrication
Pouch, cylindrical and coin-cell battery production and testing
Pilot-scale manufacturing of advanced energy materials

The facility includes modular clean rooms designed to maintain dust-free, moisture-controlled, and oxygen-regulated environments essential for handling sensitive energy materials. A dedicated nitrogen generation system ensures a continuous inert atmosphere for delicate fabrication processes.

Prof. Oguzie highlighted that the facility enables researchers to progress from fundamental material synthesis to pilot-scale device manufacturing and scale up, giving Nigeria unprecedented capacity to develop and commercialize solar and battery technologies.

Two Flagship UKRI-Funded Research Programmes
ElectroLab-X currently anchors two major research projects funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Office and led by Swansea University.
1. Next-Generation Perovskite Solar Cells
Resilient Renewable Energy Access Through Community-Driven Holistic Development in Perovskite Solar Module Manufacturing (REACH-PSM). This project targets the local manufacturing of perovskite solar modules, with FUTO’s first working prototype expected in the first quarter of next year.
Prof. Oguzie noted:
“With China controlling over 90% of the global solar PV manufacturing supply chain—particularly in critical segments such as wafer and cell production—perovskite technology offers African nations a more adaptable and accessible entry point into high-value renewable energy manufacturing.”

2. Sodium-Ion Battery Research
Sustainable Transport and Affordable Mobility through Innovation in Na-Ion Technology (StamiNa Project), focusing on sodium-ion batteries as abundant, low-cost, and geopolitically stable alternative to lithium. This project positions FUTO at the forefront of African battery innovation.

Building Africa’s Future Energy Workforce
Prof. Oguzie underscored that ElectroLab-X will play a transformative role in developing the technological capacity of Nigeria’s vast youth population, which represent the country’s most important driver of future economic development. He noted that while Nigerian youth increasingly pursue ICT-related skills, which are the most accessible and widely promoted, other critical technology sectors such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy engineering, materials science, and hardware innovation remain significantly underdeveloped and underrepresented. He stressed that genuine technological empowerment requires more than ICT familiarity alone. It depends on deliberate investment in advanced, hands-on infrastructure, where young people can engage directly with real industrial processes, scientific instrumentation, and high-tech manufacturing systems. ElectroLab-X, he explained, provides exactly this kind of environment, this giving students, researchers, and entrepreneurs practical exposure to solar cell fabrication, battery development, energy materials engineering, and modern electrochemical technologies.
"By granting Nigerian youth access to world-class experimental and pilot-scale facilities, ElectroLab-X bridges the gap between population potential and the specialized technical competencies required to spur industrialisation, drive local manufacturing, and build a globally competitive innovation ecosystem"

Pro-Chancellor Advocates for Global-Scale Commissioning
In his remarks, the FUTO Pro-Chancellor, Senator Jack Tilley-Gyado, OFR, CON, expressed deep admiration for the sophistication and global relevance of ElectroLab-X. Describing the facility as “an international laboratory of great magnitude,” he recommended postponing the formal commissioning to February 2026, a period when several other landmark projects under the administration of Professor Nnenna N. Oti, including the 8.3 MW hybrid solar farm, the ICTC Centre, and other strategic infrastructure are scheduled for launch. He explained that aligning the commissioning with these major institutional milestones would create a unified, high-visibility platform capable of attracting top government personalities at both State and Federal levels, alongside national and international stakeholders, industry leaders, investors, development agencies, and global partners. The Pro-Chancellor further emphasized that the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma (Onwa), must be fully aware of such significant interventions taking place within his domain. He stressed that the laboratory’s importance to Nigeria and Africa warrants a commissioning ceremony commensurate with its continental stature. A senior university official added humorously that “the lab is too dope to be commissioned quietly.”

Strengthening Africa’s Energy Innovation Landscape
Since attaining Centre of Excellence status in 2019, ACE-FUELS has advanced Nigeria’s clean-energy research ecosystem through world-class infrastructure, robust international partnerships, and high-quality postgraduate training. With the establishment of the Electrochemical Laboratory for Accelerated Breakthroughs and eXponential Energy Technologies, FUTO strengthens its position as a leading African institution tackling the continent’s most pressing energy challenges, from unreliable electricity supply to clean-energy generation, advanced storage systems, corrosion mitigation, and sustainable materials development.

Congratulations to the ACE-FUELS team and the entire FUTO community on this landmark achievement in advancing sustainable energy research, innovation, and manpower development.

ACE-FUELS Students Join FUTO’s 37th Convocation Ceremonies

Photo Speaks 👇📸