The Centre for Energy Research & Development (CERD), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife started as the Nuclear (Energy) Technology Development programme in 1976 under the Department of Physics in the University. This was sequel to the declaration of the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) as a Centre of Excellence in Nuclear and Energy Research and Development by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

By 1977, it had recruited about thirty (30) fresh graduates in various disciplines including Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Electronics, Geology and Chemical Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University and sponsored them abroad for Higher Degrees in fields such as Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Materials, Nuclear Electronics, Materials Science & Engineering and Reactor Physics.

CERD has been broad based from inception considering the multidisciplinary approach it had adopted from the onset and this is reflected in the emergence of the underlisted divisions:

• • Applied Nuclear Science & Technology
  • Environmental & Earth Sciences
  • Materials and Electronics
  • Energy Technology and management
  • Maintenance and Services