Prof. David Ehigie Esezobor was born on March 14, 1961 in Irrua, Esan Central, Edo State. He obtained his B.Sc./M.Sc. degrees in Metallurgy in 1988 and earned a Ph.D. in Extractive Metallurgy and Materials Processing from the Supreme Attestation Commission of Ukraine in 1994. He subsequently served as Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Donetsk Polytechnic Institute, Ukraine.

 He joined the University of Lagos in 2000 as Lecturer I and rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming Professor of Sustainable Extractive Metallurgy and Advanced Materials Processing in 2007 to advance metallurgical engineering education and industrial development. An accomplished academic and mentor, he has taught, mentored and shaped generations of metallurgical and materials engineers, supervising to completion 8 Ph.D., over 65 M.Sc., and more than 250 undergraduate engineering projects. Many of whose beneficiaries now occupy strategic leadership positions in academia, industry and government. A seasoned academic administrator, he meritoriously served as Head of Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (2008–2012), Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (2006–2008), Chair of the Technical and Publications Committee, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Engineering Research, University of Lagos. He served on several strategic Senate and University Committees, Boards and Council. While providing distinguished academic leadership as Head of Department and Sub-Dean, Faculty of Engineering. His tenure witnessed notable expansion in academic programmes, laboratory infrastructure, staff development and industry collaboration. As a scholar of international repute, he has published over 75 scholarly articles, authored books, delivered influential lectures, secured major research grants, and developed innovative technologies and patents in extractive metallurgy, corrosion control, refractory materials engineering, advanced materials processing, advanced drying technology for food processing, waste-to-wealth and environmentally sustainable manufacturing and systems.

Beyond academia, Professor Esezobor has rendered outstanding professional service as National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical, Mining and Materials Engineers and Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers Presidential Committee on Iron and Steel Development as well as accreditation expert for both Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and the National Universities Commission, contributing to engineering programme quality nationwide. His leadership has shaped national policies, particularly through his role as Coordinator of the drafting of NSE 2014 /2016 Nigerian Metallurgical Industry Bill and as Head of the Metallurgical Industry Bill Sub-Committee of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (2018–2024). His earlier industrial experience includes service at the Ajaokuta Steel Company and technical consultancy for major engineering establishments. As a recipient of numerous awards and honours, including the Distinguished Researcher Award, Presidential Merit Awards of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigeria Construction Industry Hall of Fame recognition, and the Shield of Professional Excellence (SPX) in metallurgical, mining and materials engineering, he is widely celebrated for his commitment to engineering excellence, sustainable industrial development, mentorship and national transformation.

He is a COREN Registered Engineer. Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical, Mining and Materials. He remains an exemplary academic, visionary engineer, accomplished innovator, inspiring mentor and a leading and passionate advocate for Nigeria’s metallurgical, industrial and technological transformation.