Dr. Eni Oko is a highly accomplished Process and Energy Systems Engineer and Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Chemical Engineering at Newcastle University, UK. With over 15 years of experience spanning industry and academia, he has established himself as a leading expert in energy systems, carbon capture, and hydrogen technologies.
Dr. Oko began his academic journey at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering. He went on to Cranfield University, UK, for an MSc in Process Systems Engineering, funded by the prestigious Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). He later completed his PhD at the University of Hull, specializing in integrating power plants with carbon capture and transport systems, supported by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
With research interests that include carbon capture and transport, hydrogen production, and energy systems integration, Dr. Oko has led and managed research projects worth over £3.5 million, funded by prominent organizations such as the EU, EPSRC, Innovate UK, BEIS, and the Royal Society. His consulting expertise in energy transition projects has seen him collaborate with industry leaders to develop tailored solutions for real-world challenges. His international collaborations span countries like China, Nigeria, Canada, South Africa, the Middle East, and several European nations, reflecting his global impact.
Dr. Oko’s contributions to research are widely recognized, with over 40 peer-reviewed publications (h-index 23), books published by major publishers, and presentations at more than 20 international conferences. His accolades include the SAGE Publisher’s Best Paper Prize, the IMechE Ludwig Mond Prize, and the IChemE Global Awards, among others. His work has been featured in the UK government’s BEIS report on carbon capture and earned him the 2024 Future Leader Award by the International Congress on Separation and Purification Technology (ISPT) and the International Association on Carbon Capture (IACC).
A member of esteemed professional organizations such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the UK CCSRC, and the IChemE, Dr. Oko is also a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy. He serves as an Academic Adviser to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and plays a key role in evaluating research proposals for several international funding bodies. Additionally, he contributes to academia as an associate editor for the Carbon Capture Science and Technology Journal and a review editor for Frontiers in Energy Research.
Dr. Oko’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and his extensive expertise make him a sought-after voice in the global energy transition landscape.