Dr. Bonaventure Okere is the Director of the Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy (CBSS), Nsukka, Enugu State. With about two decades of experience in astronomy and space science research, Dr. Okere has established himself as one of the leading experts in this field of research both in Nigeria and across the globe.
Before joining the services of the Centre, Dr. Bonaventure Okere held various research and academic positions at reputable institutions across Nigeria. He has published over 40 research papers in reputable international journals and has received several high profile awards for his invaluable contributions towards the growth of astronomy and basic space science in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa at large. Most recently, Dr. Bonaventure Okere was a joint award recipient of the 2024 IAU ODE Prize for Astronomy Education development during the 2024 General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) which was held in Cape Town, South Africa.
As Director of CBSS, Dr. Bonaventure Okere oversees the Centre’s research activities, administration, collaborations and outreach programs. Under his watch, the Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy successfully acquired and installed a 3.7-m Radio Telescope for radio astronomy research in August 2023. This is in addition to the attraction as well as installation of a 0.25-m Optical Telescope which was donated to the Centre by the Keldysh Institute for Applied Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Science (KIAM-RAS) in 2022. The installation of these facilities have positioned Nigeria as one of the leading hubs for frontline astronomy research within the continent of Africa.
As the pioneer coordinator of the West Africa Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (WAROAD), a sub-regional office for the IAU’s Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD); Dr. Okere’s vision has remained the promotion of astronomy/space science research and development in Nigeria and Africa. Precisely, Dr. Bonaventure Okere initiated the Pan African School for Emerging Astronomers (PASEA). PASEA was initially conceived as a Nigerian project which was later expanded to cover the entire West African at the implementation stage (The West African International Summer School for Young Astronomers -WAISSYA). Interestingly, building on the sustained interest from students beyond West Africa, WAISSYA was scaled up in 2022 to an African-wide Programme known today as the Pan-African School for Emerging Astronomers (PASEA), with Dr. Okere as a Co-founder and Co-director.
Dr. Okere has remained active in our nation’s efforts to incorporate the study of basic space science and astronomy into the secondary school curriculum in Nigeria. He currently heads the Agency’s Committee on spectrum management and also serve as a pro-bono Lecturer at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Furthermore, he is the current Vice President of the Astronomical Society of Nigeria (ASN) as well as a Fellow of the Society. In the international arena, he is a member of many organizations like: African Astronomical Society (AfAS), the International Astronomical Union (IAU), etc. In all, Dr. Okere is happily married with children and he enjoys reading, traveling and mentoring young scientists.
