He attended the Prince of Wales Secondary School where he passed the Senior Cambridge examination with exemption from London matriculation.
In 1946, after a short teaching spell at the prestigious Bo Government Secondary School, he attended to Yaba College where he obtained the Higher National Diploma.
[4] He had written at least 250 professional papers by 1972 when University of London conferred the doctor of science degree (D.Sc.)
[citation needed] His other popular books include Handbook of Practical Biochemistry (1963) and Metabolism of Afflatoxins and other Mycotoxins (1989).
In 1968, he formed a partnership with Richard Tecwyn Williams through the British Inter-University Council for Higher Education Overseas.
After retiring from the University of Ibadan, he remained active for several years, continuing to act as editor of the West African Journal of Biology and Applied Chemistry.
Olumbe Bassir was a lifelong advocate for peace, and was an active member of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs.