Dakuku Peterside is a Nigerian politician, policymaker and civil society leader who served in key positions of government, including as a high-ranking member of the Nigeria’s house of representatives. He earned his doctoral degree from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 

His interest is in policies and initiatives aimed at civic participation, sustainable development, and leadership. Dr. Peterside advocates frequent performance measurement and the evaluation of public policies and programs to ensure appropriate interventions that meet people’s needs. 

He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2011, and served between May 2011 and May 2015 as chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), where he had the privilege to oversight strategic National Oil and Gas establishments such as Petroleum Equalisation Fund, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company. He co-over sighted Petroleum Technology Development Fund. He led other legislators to sponsor and champion the Petroleum Industry Bill as chairman of the technical Committee of the House of Representatives. He presented a total of 36 scholar papers in five countries on the reform of Oil and Gas industry and government institutions in developing countries. 

Previously, he served as Commissioner for Works in Rivers State from October 2007 to January 2011, had served as Executive Director, Development and Leadership Institute 2003–2007, Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Rivers State on works (2003–2005), Executive Chairman, Opobo–Nkoro LGA (2002–2003), Special Assistant to Governor of Rivers State on Youths and Student Affairs (1999–2002). He also served concurrently on the Board of Centre for Black and African Arts and Culture. As Commissioner of works, he managed the largest construction portfolio ever in the history of state government’s construction, supervising a total of 200 road projects (totaling 1,000 km), 5 flyover bridges, and 10 bridges in four years. 

He managed the maritime agency of Nigeria for four years with significant investment in the conservation of marine ecosystem and prevention of ocean pollution, among other things. 

Dr. Peterside is a senior member of the current ruling party in Nigeria and was once its gubernatorial candidate during the election cycle of 2015.