Rate My Professor Anthony Okoh

Professor Anthony Okoh is a microbiologist at the University of Fort Hare’s Faculty of Science and Agriculture. He holds a PhD in Microbiology from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, along with a BSc (Hons) and MSc in the same field and more than a dozen professional certifications from institutions across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. He joined the University of Fort Hare in 2006 as an Associate Professor and was promoted to Full Professor of Microbiology in 2008. He served as Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology from 2009 to 2015, Leader of the Water Research Niche Area, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture, and Acting Dean. He currently serves as Director of the SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre.

Professor Okoh’s research focuses on applied and environmental microbiology, with emphasis on water and wastewater quality, emerging pollutants, reservoirs of antibiotic resistance, and bioactive compounds. He has published over 340 journal articles, supervised 46 PhD and 60 Master’s students, and attracted substantial national and international research funding. He represented South Africa in the international Surveillance of Reservoirs of Antibiotic Resistance project and served as South Africa Country Laboratory Manager. He has held leadership roles including President of the South Africa Society for Microbiology (2011–2013) and participated in national forums on water management. His honors include the NRF B1 rating—the highest ever awarded at the University of Fort Hare—UFH Vice-Chancellor Emerging Researcher Award, Vice-Chancellor Senior Researcher Medal, Achievers Award of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria, membership in the Academy of Science of South Africa, and fellowships in the Water Institute of Southern Africa, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria, and African Academy of Sciences. He is ranked number one in Microbiology at the University of Fort Hare, second in South Africa and Africa, and 125th globally in the discipline according to the 2025 AD Scientific Index.