Prof. Fabian Ugwu
Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences
Fabian O. Ugwu is a Professor of Industrial and Organisational Psychology at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria. Prior to his university career, Fabian consulted on joint projects for the ECOWAS Commission and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also served as a consultant programme specialist for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship Development Centre for the South-East zone, and later coordinated the South-South zone from 2010 to 2011. Fabian joined AE-FUNAI in 2012 as a pioneer staff member following his short spell at Benue State University (now Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University). Today, he is recognized as a leading academic and researcher whose work continues to push the boundaries of innovation. After publishing his first article in a Thomson Reuters (now Clarivate Analytics)-rated journal in 2014, Fabian helped demystify the process for his peers during a time when publishing in these journals embarrassed many academics. As a mentor, he has guided numerous Faculty of Social Sciences members to successfully overcome this barrier. Fabian’s legacy is perhaps best seen through the success of his colleagues. Today, his mentees hold faculty positions both here and in the Faculty of Management Sciences—some as full professors, and many more as associate professors.
Prof. Fabian O. Ugwu has made extensive contributions to the fields of organisational behaviour and human resources management. With prolific publication record and rich research portfolio, Fabian has contributed to the scientific community with over 100 publications, spanning journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. His work addresses vital topics, including work engagement, career development, cyberpsychology, positive organizational behaviour, and work-life balance. He has collaborated with over 120 scholars from renowned universities across all continents of the world in global projects. Fabian's high-impact research in journals such as Career Development International (Emerald), Current Psychology (Springer), Journal of Career Development (Sage), Personnel Review (Emerald), Journal of Career Assessment (Sage), Occupational Medicine (Oxford), and many more has cemented his reputation as a pivotal voice in Industrial and Organizational Psychology across Africa. As an award-winning scholar, Fabian was named the most productive researcher for the combined faculties of Management and Social Sciences in both 2018 and 2020. Owing to the quality of his publications, Fabian earned a spot in 2020 as a recipient of the Georg Forster Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers, one of the world's most competitive accolades, awarded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany. Prof. Fabian O. Ugwu held a position as a Research Fellow/Professor at the Technische Universität in Dortmund, Germany, between June 2021 and November 2022. During this period, he received high-impact research training from leading German professors in his field.
Fabian is the most-cited scholar in AE-FUNAI's Faculty of Social Sciences and ranks 4th university-wide according to Google Scholar count. As the 7th most-cited psychology scientist in Nigeria, he is a sought-after expert who serves on the editorial boards of reputable journals and frequently reviews academic papers. Previously serving as acting Director of Internationalization and Advancement and Deputy Director of Research & Development (R&D), Fabian served as the Head of Department of Psychology, currently elected the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, and a practicing psychology scientist in Nigeria. He is a member of professional bodies including the Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA), American Psychological Association (APA), and Nigerian Association of Industrial and Organisational Psychologists (NAIOP). In his personal life, Fabian is a husband and father of three who enjoys playing and watching soccer, meeting new people and building professional partnerships.
