Enosakhare Samuel Akpata obtained his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Leeds, England. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Scotland, National Medical College, Nigeria and West African College of Surgeons. A Senior Fulbright Scholar, he started his academic career at the University of Lagos where he was appointed professor of restorative dentistry in 1979. He occupied similar positions at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait University in the Middle East.

He has published several books as well as articles in international journals. His hobbies are playing the piano and golfing.