TITLE: Distinguished Professor NAME: UNAH, Jim Ijenwa POSITION: Professor EDUCATION:
(i) University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba; B. A. (Hons) Philosophy (2nd Class Upper Division); 6th August, 1982.
(ii) University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba; M. Phil. Philosophy; 4th December, 1985.
(iii) University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba; PhD Philosophy; 5th July, 1989.
(iv) University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; PGDE; 29th July, 2011.
(v) Federal College of Education (Technical); Certificate in Computer Studies (Upper Credit); Akoka, Yaba; 7th July, 2008.
A. Personal Statement
I was appointed Professor of Philosophy effective from 1st October, 1999. Well published, well cited, and indexed scholar with over 110 publications spread across five continents. A versatile and multidisciplinary scholar with specializations and research interests in metaphysics, Phenomenology, African Philosophy, Applied ontology, Ethics, and Leadership and Development Studies. A public intellectual with over 500 articles in National Newspapers and Magazines (as Community Service to the country). I am currently championing and promoting the teaching of Moral Character and Critical Thinking in pre-tertiary schools in Nigeria.
B. Positions, Appointments and Honours
i. Visiting Professor and Pioneer Faculty Dean at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba (2022- 2023);
ii. Visiting Professor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2018-2019 & 2020-2021);
iii. University of Lagos Distinguished Professor of Philosophy (2016/2017 Awardee);
iv. Former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), The Premier University of Sao Tome and Principe, Gulf of Guinea, CAR (2013-2015);
v. Visiting Editorial Board Secretary & Consultant, National Mirror Newspapers (2011-2013);
vi. Consultant, National Accreditation Board (NAB), Ghana (2010);
vii. Visiting Professor, University of Ibadan (2007-2008);
viii. Alumnus, Oxford Rountable, Oxford, England, for 4 consecutive Invited Lectures & Residency Programmes (2008-2013);
ix. Chairman, Academic Programmes Committee, SPGS (2003-2005);
x. Visiting Editorial Board Member & Columnist, National Concord Newspapers (1992-1994);
xi. Recipient, University of Lagos Book Policy Award (=N50,000.00) for triple book publication (Oct. 1997);
xii. Acting Head, Philosophy, UNILAG (1998-1999, 1999-2000);
xiii. Head, Philosophy, UNILAG (August 1, 2004-July 31, 2007);
xiv. Acting Dean, Faculty of Arts, UNILAG (Feb. 2004);
xv. Coordinator, BA Evening Programme (2005-2007).
C. Selected Most Recent Publications/Contribution to Knowledge (Five (5) Maximum)
1. Unah, JI. (2024a). “Ontological Issues and Dimensions in the Philosophy of Food,” in ESSENCE: An Interdisciplinary and International Journal of Concerned African Philosophers: Philosophy, Science and Society, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2024,
Available at https://www.acjol.org/index.php/essence/issue/view/382
2. Unah, JI. (2024b). “The Role of Philosophy: Principles, Character and Critical Thinking in Recalibrating Nigeria,” in The Making of a Modern Nigeria: A Humanistic Perspective, Faculty of Humanities, Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, pp. 11-22 (Invited Lecture).
3. Unah, JI. (2023). “Dimensions and Manifestations of Corruption in Nigeria: An Ethical Proposal for a Reversal,” in Marie Pauline Eboh and Maraizu Elechi (Eds.). Anthology of Authentic African Philosophy: A Reconstructionist View, Port-Harcourt: Bereko Multinational Limited.
4. Unah, JI. (2022a). “The Oxymoronic Rhetoric of Asking Inhuman Humans to be Human,” in
Humanity and Social Order: Annals of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (Invited Lecture).
5. Unah, JI. (2022b). “Taking African Virtue Ethics and Character Training Principles to the Schools,” in Jonathan o Chimakonam, Edwin Etieyibo and Ike Odimegwu (Eds.), Essays on Contemporary Issues in African Philosophy, Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 163-168. ISBN 978- 030-70435-3 ISBN 978-3-030-70436-0 (eBook).
My Contribution to Knowledge is largely in the area of Metaphysics of Innovation (Change), Critical Ethical Thinking, and Moral Character issues in Applied Ontology, focusing principally on downloading philosophical abstractions to address quotidian problems of human existence.
D. Collaborators/Networks (International Inclusive five (5) Maximum
i. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). We have ongoing collaborations in book projects on Development in Africa (2019 till date)
ii. UNESCO: I am a Consultant and Resource Person with this organization on issues of Bioethics and Global Ethics, Philosophy for Children, and also function as an Expert at the UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab (2018 till date).
iii. I collaborate with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja, on Intelligence and Security issues, and double as a Resource Person and Fellow (2019 till date)
iv. The Applied Research Conference in Africa (ARCA) is one of my Regional Networks (Headquartered in Ghana), and I am a member of the Scientific Committee (2017 till date).
v. The World institute for Advanced Phenomenological Research and Learning, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA, has been my global network in Phenomenological Philosophy since 1999.
