Prof Grace Ogunlusi

Professor Grace Olufunmilayo Ogunlusi is a distinguished chemist and respected academic leader who currently serves as the Director of the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO) at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. A product of the same institution she now helps to shape, she obtained her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Chemistry from OAU. Her doctoral work was further enriched through research training at the University of Botswana, an experience that helped strengthen her expertise in physical and inorganic chemistry.
She began her academic career in 2000 as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Chemistry at OAU and rose steadily through the ranks, eventually earning promotion to the position of Professor of Physical Chemistry in 2018. Her elevation was not only a personal milestone but also a historic one, as she became the first woman to attain professorial status in the department since its establishment in 1962. Over the years, she has taught and supervised students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, building a strong reputation for scholarship, mentorship, and academic rigor.
Professor Ogunlusi’s research interests span physical, inorganic, and industrial chemistry, with particular focus on transition metal complexes, reaction kinetics, micellar media, surfactant systems, and adsorption processes. Her work has appeared in reputable international journals and she has presented at conferences locally and abroad. She also contributes to the global scientific community through service as a manuscript reviewer and as an external examiner to chemistry departments within and outside Nigeria.
In addition to her research and teaching, she has played significant roles in university administration. She has served on several committees, acted as staff adviser to student bodies, coordinated faculty-level programmes, and contributed to gender initiatives within the university. Her previous role as Deputy Director of Linkages and Partnerships helped prepare her for her current position as Director of IPTTO, where she oversees the university’s intellectual property portfolio. Under her leadership, IPTTO has strengthened its support for researchers in the areas of patenting, innovation management, technology transfer, and capacity building. She has also championed IP awareness on campus and supported the processing of numerous patents for OAU researchers. Her visionary leadership contributed to the establishment of the OAU Innovation Club, a platform that encourages creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation among students and staff.
Professor Ogunlusi is widely respected across her discipline and is a member of several professional bodies, including the American Chemical Society, the Chemical Society of Nigeria, and the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria. She is alumnus of international leadership programmes, notably the University Administration Support and Leadership Program (UASP) sponsored by IREX, underscoring her commitment to institutional development and research management.
Known for her calm disposition, dedication, and passion for innovation, Professor Ogunlusi is also an avid reader of Christian literature and enjoys gardening and good music. Her career reflects excellence, resilience, and service—qualities that continue to shape her influential role in promoting research, innovation, and intellectual property culture at Obafemi Awolowo University.