The Department of Physics is one of the foundational Departments in the Faculty of Science, dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and community service. The Department provides rigorous training in the fields of ionospheric/radio & space plasma physics, radiation & health physics, environmental physics, theoretical physics/non-linear dynamics, geophysics, physics electronics, and practical applications, preparing students to contribute meaningfully to teaching, cutting-edge technology, environmental sustainability, and scientific advancement.
Vision
To be a center of excellence in Physics education, research, and innovation, dedicated to advancing knowledge of the physical universe, developing cutting-edge technologies, and producing graduates who will provide solutions to global challenges in energy, environment, health, communication, and space science through collaborations with industry, research institutes, and international partners to drive sustainable development.
Our History
The Department was established in 1983 to provide the Physics graduates with oriented background and firm applications in the field of Physics and a high level competence in fitting into diverse careers in teaching, research and industry. Every aspect of the department has grown tremendously, especially in the last one and half decades. In fact, the number of students that it now caters for has grown in leaps and bounds and has almost outstripped its personnel and physical facilities in view of the popularization of Physics, a result of introduction of Applied Physics programmes in the last twelve years. However, with the staff strength and well co-coordinated collaborative academic activities, the Department stands shoulder high in spirit, leadership and self-confidence. The performance of many of our graduates in academia nationwide and abroad is an attestation to our claim. Others are displaying their management competence in private sectors and record of achievements in both public and civil services.
At inception, a team of distinguished Academics led by Professors S. O. Ogunade, M. C. Isherwood and A. Amusa from the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife were appointed Associate Lecturers and were in charge of the Departmental administration, academic activities and researches; and were given the responsibility of attracting quality staff and providing leadership in the young Department.
The first set of staff of the Department was employed between 1983 and 1985, and comprised mainly Mr. E. O. Ladele, Mr. B. I. Imasogie, Mr. E. M. Tongo, Mr. R. K. Odunaike, Mr. V. U. Chukwuma, Mr. O. O. Nubi and Dr. Z. U. Khan, a foreigner.
The programme in the Department was designed mainly for Pure Physics. However, with the passage of time, it was observed that pure Physics did not appear to be of much interest to young Nigerians. This was so because students’ enrolment in the Department could hardly exceed twenty students per academic session. The number of first set of students admitted to the Department was ten. In fact most candidates who sought admission into the Department were candidates who initially wanted to study other science-related courses but could not meet the cutoff marks for the courses of their first or second choice.
The problem of students’ enrolment in the Department was addressed in the 1997/98 academic session when a four-year Applied Physics programme was introduced to popularize Physics. The introduction of the Applied Physics programme, has tremendously led to increase in students enrolment.
As the present trend worldwide is towards professionalism and Entrepreneurship courses, the Department currently runs courses leading to a B. Sc. Physics Degree with options in Physics, Physics with Electronics and Geophysics.
It is desirable to note that the members of staff in the Department have collective responsibility and the target is to be the best in this country in terms of academic excellence and services to the nation.
The National Universities Commission’s (NUC) initial accreditation visit to the department was in January 1991 and secondly during 96/97 academic session with lots of improvement. Ever since these visits, the students admitted into the department had and still followed a Programme of study scheduled over a period of three or four years as stipulated by the NUC approved Benchmark Minimum Academic Standard (BMAS) in Science for all Nigerian Universities and with the set objectives.
The Department has firmly established Academic linkage with older Universities to enhance our students’ understanding in the philosophy and objectives of our programme.
The Department similarly attracts research support and funding from International Foundations and Agencies for Science as the Third World Academy of Science (TWAS), Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, International Atomic & Agency (IAEA), and United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Past Heads of Department
The list of previous Heads of Department from inception to date is shown as:
Academic Programmes
The Department offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required in ionospheric/radio & space plasma physics, radiation & health physics, environmental physics, theoretical physics/non-linear dynamics, and geophysics. Students are exposed to hands-on learning through field courses, laboratory research, and innovative projects that align with global trends in Physics.
The programmes of study in the department are:
- Pure Physics and
- Applied Physics, which comprises Geophysics and Physics with Electronics options.
The department is committed to creating an interactive scholarly unit in which a diversity of ideas, students’ experiences, individual backgrounds, and perspectives are welcomed and encouraged.
The academic atmosphere in the department is very conducive for learning, teaching and research, and this is a result of our strong intellectual and scientific pedigree.
The department complements the university in providing an enabling environment for the students’ learning and to share academic fellowship with one another and the staff. The attendance at learned conferences, workshops, symposia and seminars by both students and staff is mandatory, thereby facilitating interaction and understanding of new science techniques and discoveries. The department welcomes diversity of ideas, students’ experiences, individual backgrounds and perspectives.
Our Objectives
- To provide a solid background in Classical and Modern Physics for students with career objectives in Pure Physics, Research, Electronics, Materials Science, Computer Science, Geophysics, Medicine, diverse fields of application of Nuclear Energy, Secondary School Science Teaching, etc.
- To provide balanced training in the fields of electronics and Geophysics, which are considered most relevant to human and material development in Nigeria.
- To provide skilled scientists capable of applying their knowledge to solve national problems in their respective fields of interest.
- To inculcate broad specific discipline in undergraduate students (independent work, resourcefulness, honesty, broad scientific outlook and teamwork in scientific research)
- To ensure a high level of competence of our graduates and also increase their flexibility in fitting into diverse careers, including research and development, industry and education.
- To develop a research culture in the department in consonance with current trends in industry and research that have direct relevance to the peculiar needs of Ogun State in particular and Nigeria in general.
- To provide a solid academic base for the pursuit of higher degrees (M.Sc., M.Phil. and Ph.D.)
- To identify the limitations of our students and to make real effort to provide compensating corrective measures.
Research Areas
Research in the Department spans areas such as:
- Space Plasma Physics
- Ionospheric Physics
- Renewable Energy
- Radiation and Health Physics
- Environmental Physics
- Geophysics
- Food and Water Security
- Solid State Physics
- Theoretical Physics/Nonlinear Dynamics
- Physics Electronics
- Quantum Computing
Facilities for Student Training
The Department is well equipped with modern facilities to support research and teaching:
- Physics Laboratories: for introductory and advanced experiments in mechanics, electricity, magnetism, optics, and thermodynamics.
- Computational Physics Laboratory: to be equipped with high-performance computers (HPC) for modelling, simulations, and data analysis.
- Ground-based Ionospheric Receiver: for GNSS observation and monitoring of ionospheric disturbances.
- Radiation Measuring Devices: for measuring Radon, ionising & non-ionising radiation in the environment.
- Environmental Physics Devices: for a multi-parameter water quality tester and noise meter in the environment.
- Material Characterisation Laboratory: for thin film deposition.
- ABM Resistivity Meter: for measuring geophysical parameters.
- Solar Energy Laboratory: for solar simulators and photovoltaic testing.
- Lecture Halls and Classrooms: conducive spaces with multimedia projector, smartboard and public address system for interactive and effective teaching.
Departmental Organogram
Dr Timothy Wemimo DAVID
david.timothy@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng
Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6589-2930
Google scholar citations: 124; h-index: 5; i10-index: 3
Phone number: +234 8055268531
Dr. Timothy Wemimo DAVID is a Senior Lecturer and researcher in Radio & Space Plasma Physics, with expertise in heavy ion upflow/outflow, loss of planetary atmosphere, EISCAT observation, geomagnetic & ionospheric storms, and magnetospheric dynamics. He obtained his Ph. D. in Radio & Space Plasma Physics from the prestigious University of Leicester, UK in the year 2017, building on a strong foundation of research in upwelling of heavy ions from the Earth’s upper atmosphere that moderate the magnetospheric dynamics, which in turn slows down space weather effects. He is the current Acting Head, Department of Physics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.
His research focuses on understanding the near-Earth space environment and its interactions with solar and cosmic phenomenon, investigating the dynamics and variability of the Earth’s ionosphere, and studying ionospheric disturbances caused by solar activity, geomagnetic storm, and space weather events. He has more than thirty eight publications in national and international reputable journals, and has contributed to advancing knowledge in ionospheric upflow/outflow through teaching, mentoring, and collaborative research.
Dr. David is passionate about applying space weather research to monitoring and modeling space weather impacts on technology by developing predictive tools for mitigating the effects of ionospheric disturbances on the ionosphere above Sub-Saharan Africa. His long-term goal is to strengthen research capacity in advancing global understanding of solar-terrestrial physics and its role in climate and technological systems.
In his capacity as Acting Head of Department, he provides direction for teaching, learning, and curriculum development, and ensures high academic standards in lectures, practicals, and examinations. He is committed to staff coordination and student mentoring, fostering a culture of academic excellence, and cross-fertilisation of research ideas leading to new innovations within and outside the Department. His leadership is directed toward strengthening the Department’s visibility by encouraging outreach programs that showcase the relevance of Physics in society.
Recent Publications
- Adekoya, B. J., Chukwuma, V. U., Bakare, N. O. and David, T. W. (2012). Astrophysics and Space Science.
- David, T. W. and Chukwuma, V. U. (2012). Indian Journal of Radio & Space Physics.
- David T W, Wright D M, Milan S E, Cowley S W H, Davies J A, McCrea I. (2018). Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics.
- Adebesin, B. O., Adekoya, B. J. and David, T. W. (2019). Advances in Space Research.
- Adekoya, B. J., Adebesin, B. O., David, T. W., Ikubanni S.O., Adebiyi S.J., Bolaji O.S.and Chukwuma V. U. (2019). Annales Geophysicae.
- David, T. W., Adekoya, B. J., Michael, C. M., Adekoya, S. A., Adenuga, O. A., Kareem,S. O., Oladunjoye, H. T., Ajetunmobi, A. E., Williams, O.T. and Ogundele, D. T. (2022). Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences.
- Awoyinka, T. D., David, T. W., Somefun, T. E., Somefun, C. T. and Dirisu, J. (2023). Engineering Research Express.
- Ajetunmobi, A. E., Ishola, S. A., David, T. W., Talabi, A. T. and Biere, P. E. (2024). Nigerian Institute of Physics.
- David, T. W., Michael, C. M., Awoyinka, T. D., Ajetunmobi, A. E. and Talabi, A. T. (2024). International Journal of Energetica.
- David T W, Michael, C. M., Wright, D. M., Talabi, A. T., Ajetunmobi, A. E., Awoyinka, T. D. and Kareem S. O. (2025). Indian Journal of Physics.
Academic Staff
Prof. Victor Uzodinma Chukwuma – Professor of Space and Ionospheric Radio-propagation Physics chukwuma.victor@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7882-901X; Google Scholar Citations: 402; h-index: 13; i10-index: 17 (+234 8055075270) Office: Faculty of Science TETFund Building I, Ground Floor, Room 2.
Prof. John Abidemi Laoye – Professor of Theoretical Physics bidemi.laoye@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0003-0633-4995; Google Scholar Citations: 759; h-index: 15; i10-index: 19 (+234 8060227868) Office: Room 2.10 Department of Physics.
Prof. Shamsideen Kunle Alausa- Professor of Radiation and Health Physics alausa.kunle@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng; Orcid ID: 0000-0003-3748-243X; Google Scholar Citation: 848; h-index: 14; i10-index: 15 (+2348055268529) Office: Room 2.09 Department of Physics.
Prof. Joseph Olakunle Coker- Professor (Near-Surface / Applied Geophysics) coker.joseph@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng; Orcid ID: 0000-0003-0466-7526; Google Scholar Citation: 378: h-index: 10; i10-index: 11 (+2348034350628) Office: Faculty of Science TETFund Building 1, Ground Floor, Room 8 Department of Physics.
Dr. Bolarinwa John Adekoya – Senior Lecturer (Ionospheric and Space Physics) adekoya.bolarinwa@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng; Orcid ID: 0000-0002-1443-5510; Google Scholar Citation: 395: h-index: 11; i10-index: 14 (+2348155123736) Office: Room 2.02 Department of Physics.
Dr. Hamid Titilope Oladunjoye – Senior Lecturer (Near-Surface/Applied Geophysics) oladunjoye.titilope@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng; Orcid ID: 0000-0003-2897-5849; Google Scholar Citation: 40: h-index: 3; i10-index: 2 (+2348028865151) Office: Room 1.01 Department of Physics.
Dr. Adetoro Temitope Talabi – Lecturer I (Environmental Physics) talabi.adetoro@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng; Orcid ID: 0000-0003-0110-9318; Google Scholar Citations: 63; h-index: 4; i10-index: 1 (+234 7035824368) Office: Faculty of Science TETFund Building 1, Ground Floor, Room 9 Department of Physics.
Dr. Taiwo Olakunle Roy-Layinde – Lecturer I (Nonlinear Dynamics/ Theoretical Physics) roy-layinde.taiwo@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng; Orcid ID: 0000-0001-5285-7231; Google Scholar Citations: 335; h-index: 10; i10-index: 10 (+234 8069720796) Office: Room 2.08 Department of Physics
Dr. Omolara Abosede Adenuga- Lecturer 1 (Environmental/Applied Geophysics) adenuga.omolara@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng; Orcid ID:0000-0002-8371-2411 ; Google Scholar Citation: 40: h-index: 3; i10-index: 1 (+2348034744424) Office Room. 2.02 Department of Physics.
Dr. Abayomi Ekundayo Ajetunmobi. Lecturer I ( Radiation and Health Physics) abayomi.ajetunmobi@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng; Orcid ID: 0000000260008632; Google scholar Citation:22:h-idex:3; i10- index:0 (+23458593532) Office: Faculty of Science TETFund Building 1, Ground Floor, Room. 7 Department of Physics.
Dr. Sofiat Adetomilola Adekoya – Lecturer I (Applied Geophysics) adekoya.sofiat@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0001-6259-5247 Google Scholar Citation: 10; h-index:2; i10-index: 0; (+2348077428594) Office: Room 2.08 Faculty of Science TETFUND building1.
Non-Academic Staff
Mrs. Bernice Olayinka. Ogundele – Senior Secretariat Assistant (+2348132749342) bernice.olayinka@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Office Rm. 001
Mr. Jacob Olutobi Adeyemi – Senior Clerical Officer (+2348056178004) adeyemi.jacob@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Office Rm. 001
Technical Staff
Mr. Omobamijo. E. Akinsoju – Assistant Chief Technologist (+2347061313316) akinsoju.emmanuel@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng
Mr. Shuara. O. Ojo – Assistant Chief Technologist (+2349137458102) ojo.oke@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng
Ayodele. I. Odejobi – Laboratory Supervisor (+2348079079499) odejobi.ayodele@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng
Funmi M. Omotayo – Assistant Laboratory Supervisor (+2348052583877)
Contact Information
- Address: Room 2.01, Faculty of Science, TETFUND building 1, Department of Physics, Main Campus.
- Email: physics.dept@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM