Engr. Dr. Samuel Erhigare Onoji, is a native of Omakohwre in Agbarha-Otor kingdom, in Ughelli-North Local Government Area of Delta State. He was born on the 20th of June, 1966.

Engr. Dr. Samuel E. Onoji received his primary education at Efe Primary School, Orogun (1971 – 1977), secondary education at Government College, Ughelli (1978 – 1983), and Higher School Certificate (HSC) Lower Six at Federal Government College, Warri (1983 – 1984). In pursuit of higher education, he obtained a BEng degree (1984 -1989) and an MEng degree (1997 -1998) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Benin, Nigeria.

He attended the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (2015-2018) and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Chemical Engineering in 2018.

Engr. Dr. Onoji joined the employ of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Effurun in 1992 as a Lecturer III in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Processing Department (PNGPD). As a result of hard work, commitment, and dedication to duty, he rose through the ranks and was promoted to Assistant Director (Training) in 2010. In 2013 he was appointed the Head of Department (HOD) of PNGPD and was promoted to Deputy Director in 2014. Dr. Onoji was later appointed the Director of Services (Works) in an acting capacity in 2017 and was promoted to Director of Services (Works) in 2018. As Director of Services, Engr. Dr. Onoji was saddled with the responsibilities of overseeing all technical activities of the three campuses of the Institute which include civil, mechanical, and electrical jobs. It is on record that the Institute witnessed massive infrastructural development during his tenure as Director of Services.

In 2021, he transitioned to Director of Engineering where he coordinated all activities of the seven engineering academic departments namely, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Welding Engineering & Offshore Technology, Petroleum Engineering & Geosciences, Petroleum & Natural Gas processing, Mechatronics Engineering and Computer Engineering. With vast expertise in managing human and material resources in the Institute and his commitment to diversity and opposition to discrimination as evident in his tenures as HOD and Director, the Institute’s Governing Council approved his appointment as the substantive Vice Principal of the Institute on April 13, 2023. On March 21^st, 2024, he was appointed the Principal and Chief Executive in an acting capacity. On 7^th November 2024, he was appointed the substantive Principal and Chief Executive of the foremost oil and gas institution in Sub-Sahara Africa for 5 years.

Engr. Dr. Samuel E. Onoji was recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit, resourcefulness, and dedication to PTI’s growth. He was also celebrated for his integrity, character, team leadership, and fostering of discipline among staff and students. Academically, he has several papers in internationally reputed journals published in high-rated publishers such as Elsevier, etc, and has presented papers at several national and international conferences. He also acts as a regular Reviewer of academic papers from Elsevier and other high-impact-factor journals. He is a registered member of COREN, NSE, NSChE, and NGA, among others. He is married and blessed with four children.