UNIZIK Faculty Of Social Sciences Hosts Symposium On High-Impact Journal Publishing, Honours Top Researchers

The Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in collaboration with its Publication Visibility Committee, has held a one-day symposium focused on promoting research excellence and encouraging publication in high-impact academic journals.

The event took place at the Zephaniah Madubuko Auditorium.

In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Michael Ezenwa, commended academic staff members who have distinguished themselves through outstanding research output. He disclosed that the faculty identified 54 top-performing scholars and assured participants that consistent recognition would continue for first, second, and third positions across different academic ranks.

Delivering a keynote lecture, Professor Ebele Nwokoye underscored the strategic importance of publishing in high-impact journals, noting that globally visible research enhances institutional reputation while advancing individual academic careers. She emphasised the need for rigorous methodology, originality, ethical research conduct, and respect for research participants.

Another keynote speaker, Professor Chidozie Edwin Nwafor, encouraged both staff and students to pursue purposeful and in-depth research. He noted that research remains incomplete without thorough investigation, adding that each publication opens pathways for further scholarly inquiry.

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, commended the Faculty of Social Sciences for its sustained commitment to academic excellence. He described the faculty as particularly dear to his administration and reaffirmed the university’s resolve to improve staff and student welfare while strengthening research output.

As part of the programme, the Vice-Chancellor presented awards of excellence to four academic staff members of the Faculty of Social Sciences for emerging as the highest published scholars in Scopus-indexed journals within their respective ranks. In the Professorial cadre, Professor Chidozie Edwin Nwafor of the Department of Psychology emerged as the overall best and received a cash award.

In the Senior Lecturer cadre, two scholars emerged as joint recipients: Dr Chukwuma Roland Okoli of the Department of Political Science and Dr Benedict Ikemefuna Uzoechina of the Department of Economics. In the Lecturer I category, Dr Paschal Chukwuma Ugwu of the Department of Psychology was recognised as the highest published scholar.

Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Michael Ezenwa, presented the Dean’s Awards to 17 academic staff members for ranking among the top three most published scholars in Scopus-indexed journals across various academic levels within the faculty. Awardees were drawn from the Professorial, Reader, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer I, Lecturer II, and Assistant Lecturer cadres.

In the Professorial cadre, the awardees were Professor Chidozie Edwin Nwafor, Professor Obiajulu Anthony U. Nnedum, and Professor Michael O. Ezenwa.

For the Reader or Associate Professor rank, the recipients were Dr Blessing Nonye Onyima, Dr Chiamaka O. Joe-Akunne, and Dr Charles O. Anazonwu.

In the Senior Lecturer category, awards went to Dr Chukwuma Roland Okoli, Dr Benedict Ikemefuna Uzoechina, Dr Geraldine Ejiaka Nzeribe, and Dr Augustine E. Onyishi.

In the Lecturer I cadre, the awardees were Dr Paschal Chukwuma Ugwu, Dr Henry Chigozie Duru, and Dr Ngozi Emmanuel.

For the Lecturer II cadre, the recognised scholars were Sule Muhammed, Chijindu Queen Okeke, and Anthony Obi Okeke.

In the Assistant Lecturer cadre, Kenneth O. Ogbu emerged as the only staff member with a publication in a Scopus-indexed journal and received the award.

Professor Anyaehie further announced that from 2026, the university will increase the award for the overall best researcher to ₦1 million, a move aimed at strengthening the institution’s research culture and incentivising higher academic productivity.