Professor Ekwe is an accomplished researcher with research focus in hydrogeophysics, petroleum geophysics, mineral exploration and rock physics. His research has advanced the application of geophysical methods to groundwater resource development, sustainable energy exploration and environmental management. He has published extensively in reputable international and local journals, secured research grants from national and international funding agencies, supervised postgraduate students at Master's and Doctoral levels, and serves as a reviewer for several high-impact international scientific journals.

Since his appointment as Director of Academic Planning, Professor Ekwe has provided strategic leadership in advancing the University's academic planning and quality assurance agenda. Under his leadership, the Directorate has successfully coordinated numerous National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation and resource verification exercises, resulting in the successful accreditation and re-accreditation of academic programmes across the University. He has also coordinated several professional accreditation exercises conducted by statutory regulatory councils (ARCON, CLE, MDCN, COREN etc.), contributing to the continued professional recognition of programmes in disciplines such as Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Medicine and other professional fields. Professor Ekwe has led the development and processing of new academic programmes, coordinated institutional resource verification exercises, and supervised academic resource assessments for programme expansion and institutional affiliations in compliance with NUC guidelines. He is currently playing a central role in the implementation of the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).

Professor Ekwe has held several strategic leadership positions within the University, including but not limited to Programme Coordinator of Applied Geophysics, Head of the Department of Physics/Geology/Geophysics, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, Acting Director of Research and Development, Deputy Director of Academic Planning, and currently Director of Academic Planning. Through these appointments, he has made significant contributions to academic administration, curriculum development, research promotion, institutional planning, accreditation, and university governance.

He is a registered member of the Council of Mining Geoscientists and Engineers (COMEG) and belongs to several leading professional associations, including the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), and the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS). He continues to provide leadership through research, mentorship, policy development, institutional capacity building, and professional service, contributing to the advancement of geoscience education and higher education in Nigeria and beyond.