Prince Chiagozie Ekoh

Prince Chiagozie Ekoh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts at the University of New Brunswick. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a Master’s degree in Gerontology from the University of Southampton, a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a PhD from the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary.

Prince’s research spans gerontology and ageing, social work education, practice with sexual and gender minorities, art-based and visual methodologies, and Africentric approaches to research and practice. His doctoral research—funded by the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship—employed visual storytelling methods to examine the social networks and support experiences of older African refugees. Across his scholarly and community-engaged work, Prince maintains a strong commitment to social justice, with particular attention to the care, dignity, and inclusion of older displaced populations.

In the classroom, Prince adopts a critical constructivist and student-centred pedagogical approach, foregrounding Indigenous and Africentric perspectives. He is committed to fostering inclusive, reflective, and critically engaged learning environments that prepare social work students to navigate complex cultural, political, and structural realities. As the Scientific Director of Dibịa Akwụkwọ: Social Solutions Research Group (SSRG), he mentors young people in developing their research programs. His scholarly contributions have been recognised through several awards, including the J.N. Tyne Research Innovation Award, the Alberta Association on Gerontology Award, and the Eyes High International Doctoral Award.

Beyond academia, Prince is actively engaged in community advocacy and development initiatives. In Nigeria, he contributes to efforts aimed at improving educational access in rural communities. He has also been involved in movements challenging systemic discrimination, police brutality, and anti-Black racism, while advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. In Canada, he extends this work through volunteer and collaborative engagements with organisations such as Nile Care Advocacy for Peace and Development, the KOMKAN African Institute, and Pride of Race, Unity and Dignity through Education (PRUDE Inc.), supporting immigrant and racialized communities in Calgary and Saint John.

Recent publications

Ekoh, P.C., George, E.O., Iwuagwu, Ugwu, E. O., & Walsh, C. A. (2025). Impact of social networks and support on the wellbeing of adults and older adults in refugee situations: A scoping review. Journal of Population Ageing.

Ekoh, P. C. (2025). Rethinking Our Praxis Regarding Gerontological Social Work Practice with Older Refugees in Canada. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 1–3.

Ekoh, P. C., Guruge, S., Walsh, C. A., Warria, A., Chandrasekaran, K., Wong, K. W., & Umer, H. (2025). “It’s All About the Connection”: Digital and Physical Spaces for Mandarin and Punjabi-Speaking Older Immigrants in Calgary. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 1–20.

Hendricks, E. A., Agbawodikeizu, P. U., Onalu, C., & Ekoh, P. C. (2025). Ubuntu as a Departure Point for Social Work Education in African Universities. Southern African Journal of Social Work and Social Development, 37(2), 17 pages.

Okolie, T. J., Agbawodikeizu, P. U., Ekoh, P. C., & Chukwu, N. E. (2025). Distinguishing abuse from caregiving in rural Nigeria: Older adults' perspectives. Journal of Cross-cultural Gerontology.

Onalu, C., Ekoh, P. C., Okah, S. P., Agha, A. A., Ebimgbo, S. O., & Ene, J. (2025). Prioritising marriage over education: Factors associated with girl-child dropout from schools in rural areas of Enugu State, Nigeria. Journal of Human Rights and Social Work.

Odo, O. C., Ekoh, P. C., Nwatu, U. L., Okolie, T., J., & Okoyem, O. U. (2025). Perspectives of rural-dwelling older adults on the experiences with informal care in Southeast Nigeria. J Cross Cult Gerontol.

Ekoh, P. C., & George, E. O. (2025). Social Work and Sexual Minorities: The Health and Psychosocial Realities of Queer Men in Nigeria and Its Implications for Social Work Practice. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 1–18.

Ekoh, P. C., Hoselton, J., & Walsh, C. A. (2025). From discomfort to accountability: Exploring an ethical relational approach to teaching anti-racism and decolonisation in a Canadian introductory social work classroom. Journal of Social Work Practice.

Zhu, C., Song, B., Walsh, C. A., Ekoh. C. P., Qiao, X., & Xu, A. (2024). Barriers to accessing health care of older Chinese immigrants in Canada: A scoping review. Frontiers, 12.

Ene, J. C., Agha, A. A., Ebimgbo, S. O. Onalu, C. E. Okah, P. S., & Ekoh, P. C. (2024). Paid informal caregivers’ management of older adults’ health demands: Implications for social work professionals in contemporary Nigerian society. Ageing International.

Ekoh, P. C., & Walsh, C. A. (2024). Valuable beyond vulnerable: A scoping review on the contributions of older forced migrants in post-migration recovery. Int J Disaster Risk Sci.

Agha, A., Ebimgbo, S., Ene, J., Okah, P., Ekoh, P. C., & Onalu, C. (2024). Experiential narratives of factors limiting and boosting access to support services for women with obstetric fistula in Southeast Nigeria. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 1–16.

Agbawodikeizu, P. U., Ekoh, P. C., Onuh, S., & Onalu, C. (2024). Exploring educators’ and students’ perspectives on harnessing indigenous knowledge and practices in social work education module development in Nigerian universities. Social Work Education, 1–17.

Ekoh, P. C., & Walsh, C. A. (2024). Visual methods for qualitative research with older refugees: Reflection on strengths and drawbacks. The Qualitative Report, 29(2), 435-449.

Onalu, C., & Ekoh, P. C. (2024). Social work undergraduate curriculum and the readiness of the students to practice in the field of mental health. Social Work Education.

Ekoh, P. C., Okolie, T. J., Nnadi, F. B., Oyinlola, O., & Walsh, C. A. (2023). Understanding the impact of digital technology on the well-being of older immigrants and refugees: A scoping review. Digital Health.

Okah, P.S., Agha, A.A., Ekoh, P.C. , Onalu, C. E., Ebimgbo, S. O., & Ene, J. C. (2023). Problems associated with the lack of formal living arrangements, care and support services for older adults and retirees in Nigeria: Need to revamp social protection mechanisms. Population Ageing.