Engr. Ifeanyi Lawrence Igbonekwu
Engr. Ifeanyi Lawrence Igbonekwu is a LECTURER II in PETROLEUM ENGINEERING Department, Faculty Of Engineering in Nnamdi Azikiwe University
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Staff Profile
Proven ability to use applied research and problem-solving skills for establishing the root cause of any scientific related failure, as well as heading any investigation. quick learner and an excellent communicator with the ability to perform well in a multi-tasking environment. Thrive in health, safety and security arenas; a detail-oriented individual, friendly and personable, and a self-starter with a willingness to work well as a member of a team. Creative and skilled analyst with strong problem-solving skills offering outstanding system expertise and excellent computer and internet skills.
Personal Information
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Phone: | |
Address: | Petroleum Engineering, Faculty Of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. |
Faculty/Unit: | FACULTY OF ENGINEERING |
Department/Sub-Unit: | PETROLEUM ENGINEERING |
Social Profiles
Academic Qualifications
| Degrees / Basic Certificates | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.. (Master Degree, December, 2022) October, 2018 to October, 2022 M.Eng Chemical Engineering |
| 2 | Rivers State University Of Science And Technology. (Bachelor Degree, November, 2012) October, 2006 to August, 2012 |
| 3 | Rivers State University Of Science And Technology. (Bachelor Degree, November, 2012) October, 2000 to August, 2012 B.Tech Chemical /petrochemical Engineering |
| 4 | Christ The King Serminary, Nnobi. (NECO, June, 2006) September, 2000 to May, 2006 |
| 5 | Unity Unicef Experimental Primary School, Oraifite. (FSLC, July, 2001) September, 1994 to June, 2000 |
Relevant/Working Experience
| 1 | Time Table Officer, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. November, 2024 to Present |
| 2 | Staff Adviser, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. February, 2024 to Present |
| 3 | Examination Officer, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. January, 2023 to Present |
Creative Output
| Journal Articles | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lawrence I. Igbonekwu , Chioma M. Ezechukwu, and Florence. C. Akaeme. (2026, August), "Low-Cost Removal of Phenol from Pharmaceutical Wastewater Using Carbonized Snail Shell Adsorbent: Kinetic, Isotherm, and Thermodynamic Evaluation", Asian Journal of Applied Chemistry Research, Vol. 17, (Issue 3) |
| 2 | Lawrence Ifeanyi Igbonekwu , Matthew Ndubuisi Abonyi. (2026, July), "Sustainable Removal of Phenol from Pharmaceutical Wastewater Using Carbonized Rice Husk: Modeling and Optimization via RSM", Unizik Journal of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Vol. 1, (Issue 1) |
| 3 | Henry E. Oko, Chigozie F. Uzoh , Loveth N. Emembolu, Lawrence I. Igbonekwu. (2026, August), "Biomass-Dependent Structural Evolution and Functionalization of Lignin under Peracetic Oxidation", Biomass-Dependent Structural Evolution and Functionalization of Lignin under Peracetic Oxidation Henry E. Oko 1,* , Chigozie F. Uzoh 1,2,3 , Loveth N. Emembolu 1 Lawrence I. Igbonekwu 2 1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria. 2 Department of Petroleum Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria. 3 Institute of Solids Process Engineering and Particle Technology, Hamburg University of Technology, Denickestraße 15, Hamburg, 21073, Germany * Corresponding author’s email: [email protected] Abstract The feedstock-dependent heterogeneity of lignin remains a major limitation in its rational design for interfacial applications, particularly as renewable oilfield demulsifier precursors. Although organosolv extraction and oxidative modification of lignin are widely reported, systematic cross-biomass evaluation under identical oxidative conditions remains largely unexplored, limiting the ability to decouple intrinsic biomass effects from reaction-driven transformations and constraining predictive materials design. In this study, lignins were extracted from rice husk (RH), sawdust (SD), and empty palm bunch (EPB) via an organic-acid organosolv process and subsequently oxidized using in-situ generated peracetic acid to engineer surface polarity and functionality. Structural evolution was characterized using FTIR, SEM, EDX, and TGA. FTIR analysis revealed consistent enhancement of carbonyl stretching (around 1740–1715 cm⁻¹) following oxidation, confirming oxygen incorporation while preserving aromatic backbone integrity (~1600–1510 cm⁻¹). SEM demonstrated oxidation-induced disruption of supramolecular packing, producing fractured morphologies indicative of increased surface accessibility. EDX confirmed biomass-specific inorganic signatures, with RH lignin exhibiting pronounced silica retention, whereas SD and EPB contained comparatively lower mineral content. TGA profiles showed broad lignin degradation behavior, with residual mass strongly correlated to mineral burden. Importantly, oxidative structural reconfiguration was systematically governed by biomass origin, with SD lignin exhibiting the most pronounced functionalization, RH lignin showing mineral-induced heterogeneity, and EPB displaying intermediate transformation behavior. These findings establish biomass origin as a predictive design parameter in oxidative lignin engineering and provide mechanistic insight relevant to the future development of lignin-derived green materials for interfacial and surface-active applications. Keywords: Lignin; organosolv; peracetic oxidation; rice husk; sawdust; empty palm bunch; structural evolution; biomass dependence Volume 1, Issue 1, Pages 084-096, 2026 Unizik Journal of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Vol. 1, (Issue 1) |
| 4 | Chinenye Faith, Okey-Onyesolu , Lawrence Ifeanyi, Igbonekwu * ,Omezi Ifeanyi and Ubakwe Gideon Chiemerie. (2026, July), "Design of a Drilling Mud Agitator System for Small-scale Petroleum Operations", Journal of Materials Science Research and Reviews, Vol. 9, (Issue 3), pp 580-597 |
| 5 | Matthew N. Abonyi , Lawrence I. Igbonekwu *. (2026, July), "Green Catalysts for Sustainable Chemical Processing: From Refinery and Petrochemical Operations to Biomass and Hydrogen Technologies", Unizik Journal of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Vol. 2, (Issue 1), pp 001-023 |
| 6 | Lawrence I. Igbonekwu, Joseph T. Nwabanne, Victor I. Ugonabo, Matthew N. Abonyi, Mary-jane C. Ezechukwu and Henry O. Ewa. (2026, January), "EVALUATION AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF WET AND THERMAL BENEFICIATION OF NTEJE CLAY FOR POSSIBLE DRILLING FLUID FORMULATION", International Journal of Petroleum and Petrochemical Engineering (IJPPE), Vol. 11, (Issue 1), pp 1-20 |
| 7 | CM Ezechukwu, OD Onukwuli, IA Obiora-Okafo, LI Igbonekwu, SU John. (2025, January), "Kinetic Analysis and Adsorptive Efficiency in Ciprofloxacin Removal from Pharmaceutical Waste-water using an Effective Adsorbent", UNIZIK Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Vol. 4, (Issue 1) |
| 8 | Lawrence I Igbonekwu, Joseph T Nwabanne, Matthew C Menkiti, Chigozie F Uzoh, Matthew N Abonyi, Mary-jane C Ezechukwu, Pascal E Ohale. (2025, January), "Performance analysis of water-based drilling mud through rheological modeling", UNIZIK Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Vol. 4, (Issue 1), pp 1599 -1618 |
| 9 | CF Uzoh, SU John, HA Ezea, LI Igbonekwu, EM Madiebo. (2025, April), "The study of the effectiveness of soybean oil and castor oil as flow improvers for waxy petroleum crude oil", Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, Vol. 15, (Issue 4) |
| 10 | C.F. Uzoh, S.U John , H.A. Ezea , C.M. Ezechukwu , L.I. Igbonekwu , E.M. Madiebo. (2025, January), "Bio-based flow improvers for waxy petroleum crude", Geoenergy Science and Engineering, Vol. 244 |
| 11 | Matthew Ndubuisi ABONYI, Joseph Tagbo NWABANNE, Samuel Chigozie NZEKWE, Clinton Chizoba ELE, Blessing Chiemerie ORUNTA, Lawrence Ifeanyi IGBONEKWU. (2024, February), "Adsorptive removal of a nitrate ion from the aqueous solution of sodium nitrate by application of double fixed-bed column", Scientific Review Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 33, (Issue 3), pp 304 - 325 |
| 12 | Omuku, P.E, Ejezie, I.G, Onuigbo, A.U and Igbonekwu L.I. (2023, June), "Nutritional and Anti-Nutritional Profiles of Three Edible Snail Species in Awka Metropolis, Nigeria", International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, Vol. 8, (Issue 6), pp 1388 -1395 |
| 13 | Ezenwoko, GC, Okey-Onyesolu CF , Okoye CC and Igbonekwu LI. (2023, July), "Kinetics of bioremediation of crude oil polluted soil using potato peels as bio-stimulant", World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, Vol. 19, (Issue 1), pp 1553 - 1559 |
| 14 | Omuku, P.E., Onuigbo, U.A., Igbonekwu, I.L. and Onyeije, U.C. (2023, September), "COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF NUTRITIONAL AND ANTINUTRITIONAL FACTORS IN NODDLES SOLD WITHIN AWKA METROPOLIS", Journal of Basic Physical Research, Vol. 11, (Issue 2) |
| 15 | MN Abonyi, JT Nwabanne, LI Igbonekwu, PE Ohale, JO Nwachukwu, CM Ezechukwu, IO Ndibe. (2023, September), "Parametric and Kinetic Study of Hybrid Dye Uptake by activated mango seed endocarp", UNIZIK Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Vol. 2, (Issue 2), pp 285 - 300 |
| 16 | Matthew Ndubuisi Abonyi, Joseph Tagbo Nwabanne, Paschal Enyinnaya Ohale, Emmanuel Chinagorom Nwadike, Lawrence I Igbonekwu, Monday Morgan Chukwu, Emeka Michael Madiebo.. (2023, December), "Application of RSM and ANFIS in the optimal parameter evaluation for crude oil degradation in contaminated water amended with PES", Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Vol. 8 |
| 17 | Igbonekwu, L. I., Ajemba R.O., Ugonabo V. I.. (2022, March), "KINETICS AND THERMODYNAMIC STUDIES ON SORPTION POTENTIAL OF HYBRID ADSORBENT PRODUCED FROM SNAIL SHELL AND RICE HUSK", Unknown Journal or Publisher, Vol. 9, (Issue 3) |
| 18 | Ugonabo, V.I., Onukwuli, O.D., Igbonekwu, L.I.,. (2020, July), "Optimization studies on Physicochemical treatments of pharmaceutical industry effluent by Animal waste derived Coagulant: Response Surface Methodology Approach", INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT IN TECHNOLOGY, Vol. 14, (Issue 1) |
| 19 | Ugonabo, V.I., Onukwuli, O.D., Igbonekwu, L. I. (2020, July), "Optimization Of Telfairia Occidentalis Seed, A Natural Coagulant For Turbidity Removal In Pharmaceutical Industry Wastewater: Response Surface Methodology Applied", Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology, Vol. 7, (Issue 7) |
| 20 | Wordu, A .A, Igbonekwu, L.I. (2013, January), "Computer-Aided Design of Industrial Catalytic Reactor", International Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 3, (Issue 1) |
| Other Relevant Publications | |
| 1 | Lawrence Ifeanyi Igbonekwu, Joseph Tagbo Nwabanne, Matthew Ndubuisi Abonyi & Mary-jane Chioma Ezechukwu. "Experimental screening of beneficiated Nteje clay–bentonite blends for water-based drilling fluid formulations", (Research Work, 2026 September) |
Academic Leadership Qualities
| Grants | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Awardee: "IBR" (August, 2025 to May, 2026). Completed sponsored grant by Tetfund |
| Contributions to the University/Society | |
| 1 | Staff Adviser, "Department of Petroleum Engineering" (February, 2024) |
| 2 | Time table Officer, "Department of Petroleum Engineering" (November, 2024) |
| 3 | Departmental Exam Officer, "Department of Petroleum Engineering" (January, 2023) |
| 4 | Committee member, "Faculty of Engineering Committee on the Faculty’s Facilities Maintenance" (June, 2023) |
| 5 | Committe member, "Faculty of Engineering Committee on Undergraduate Students Matriculation" (June, 2023) |
| 6 | Committee member, "Faculty of Engineering Committee on Students’ Welfare" (June, 2023) |
| 7 | Departmental representative, "Department of chemical engineering Nominee for Nnamdi Azikiwe University COVID-19 Committee" (January, 2021) |
| 8 | Committee member, "Department of chemical engineering task force on beautification and environmental clean up" (July, 2021) |
Relevant Events Attended
| Workshop | |
|---|---|
| 1 | "Teaching Entrepreneurship Using Effectuation", (Tetfund), 21st July, 2026 to 23rd July, 2026; Conference room post graduate school |
| Other Event | |
| 1 | "General Training Workshop On Laboratory Administration, Quality Management, Good Laboratory Practice And Safety", (The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University), 25th November, 2019 to 26th November, 2019; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka |