Throughout its history, OAU has pursued a strong commitment to the highest level of scientific research and teaching. The high level scientific work and researchers give a strong foundation for all technical education.Research at OAU covers a broad spectrum of the main fields of technology. OAU hosts a community of about 5,000 staff and over 26,000 students, and Research at OAU is conducted in a number of different ways, through individual Faculties and University Research Centres.

The following are centres of excellence at OAU working in several fields of research:

• Atmospheric Research And Information Analysis Lab (ARIAL)
• Centre for Energy Research and Development (CERD)
• Center for Gender Studies (CGS)
• Centre for Industrial Research and Development (CIRD)
• Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Africa (ARCSSTE)
• Central Science Laboratory (CSL)
• Centre for Space Research (CSR)
• Cooperative Information Network (COPINE / CICTED)
• Drug Research & Production Unit (DRPU)
• National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM)
• Natural History Museum (NHM)
• OAUIFE/GATES Institute JHU Partnership Project
• Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies (IEES)
• Regional Centre for Training in Aerospace Surveys (RECTAS)
• Space Applications And Environmental Science Laboratory (SPAEL)