Dr. Chikelu Ihunanya Ezenwafor-afuecheta
Dr. Chikelu Ihunanya Ezenwafor-afuecheta is a READER in LINGUISTICS Department, Faculty Of Arts in Nnamdi Azikiwe University
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Personal Information
Email: | |
Phone: | |
Address: | Linguistics, Faculty Of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. |
Faculty/Unit: | FACULTY OF ARTS |
Department/Sub-Unit: | LINGUISTICS |
Social Profiles
Interest Areas
Academic Qualifications
| Degrees / Basic Certificates | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Scuola Normale Superiore. (Doctor of Philosophy, March, 2017) January, 2013 to March, 2017 PhD.Linguistics Linguistics |
| 2 | Nnamdi Azikiwe University. (Master Degree, December, 2011) March, 2010 to November, 2011 MA.Linguistics Linguistics |
| 3 | Nnamdi Azikiwe University. (Bachelor Degree, June, 2008) September, 2004 to June, 2008 BA. Linguistics Linguistics |
Relevant/Working Experience
| 1 | Reader, Department of Linguistics October, 2023 to Present |
| 2 | Senior Lecturer, Department of Linguistics October, 2020 to October, 2023 |
| 3 | Lecturer I, Department of Linguistics October, 2017 to October, 2020 |
| 4 | Lecturer II, Department of Linguistics December, 2012 to October, 2017 |
| 5 | Assistant Lecturer, Department of Linguistics December, 2011 to December, 2012 |
| 6 | Graduate Assistant, Department of Linguistics March, 2010 to December, 2011 |
Creative Output
| Books | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chikelu Ezenwafor-Afuecheta. (2025, October) Grammar of Etulo: A Niger-Congo (Idomoid) Language Cambridge: Open Book Publishers |
| Book Chapters | |
| 1 | Chikelu I. Ezenwafor, Cecilia Eme. (2015, June) Upstep and Gliding Tone in Igbo Dialect Phonology. |
| 2 | Chikelu Ihunanya Ezenwafor. (2012, July) The Language of Communication: Implications for Good Governance Apple Book Publishers, pp 366-378 |
| 3 | Chikelu I. Ezenwafor. (2012, October) Measuring the Igbo Verbs of Planting and Harvesting along the Transitivity Scale , pp 87-107 |
| 4 | Ezenwafor Chikelu I.. (2012, January) Prepositions, Conjunctions and Particles. Fab Educational Books, pp 46-52 |
| 5 | Chikelu I. Ezenwafor. (2011, November) The Role of Language Documentation in Sustainable Development Rex Charles& Patrick, pp 613-616 |
| 6 | Ezenwafor Chikelu I., Ezenwafor Chibunma A.. (2010, January) On the Place of Nigerian Languages in the Era of Globalisation: A Case Study of the Igbo Language Rex Charles& Patrick, pp 590-597 |
| Journal Articles | |
| 1 | Victoria Njiofor, Chikelu Ezenwafor-Afuecheta, Chibunma Bright-Ajoku. (2026, February), "A Morphological Analysis of Hashtag Neologism on Tiktok and Instagram", Awka Journal of Linguistics and Languages, Vol. 17, pp 237-269 |
| 2 | Chinwemmeri Okechukwu, Ifeka Onyeocha, Chikelu Ezenwafor-Afuecheta. (2026, February), "The Pragmatic Analysis of Proverbs in Achowa Isi Ochu", Nigerian Journal of African Studies, Vol. 8, (Issue 1) |
| 3 | Chikelu Ezenwafor-Afuecheta, Chibunma Bright-Ajoku,. (2026, January), "Towards a Categorization of Igbo Verbs by Aktionsart Types", IOSR, Vol. 31, (Issue 1), pp 50-61 |
| 4 | Chibumma Bright-Ajoku, Chikelu Ezenwafor-Afuecheta, Carolyn Mbata. (2026, May), "Reanalysing Deviant Igbo Nomenclatures for Improved Igbo Language Education", Ifediche Journal of African Studies, Vol. 3, (Issue 1), pp 19-34 |
| 5 | Chibumma Bright-Ajoku, Chikelu Ezenwafor-Afuecheta, Ifeka Onyeocha. (2026, April), "Tonal Nuance and Rhythmic Speech Pattern as Identity Markers in Ekwulobia Igbo", Odezuruigbo: An International Journal of Igbo, African and Communication Studies, Vol. 10, (Issue 1), pp 45-52 |
| 6 | Echezonachi Nwonu, Chikelu Ezenwafor-Afuecheta. (2025, September), "Exploring Blending in the Morphological Construction of Native Brand Names in Eastern Nigeria", Journal of Contemporary Language Research, Vol. 4, (Issue 3), pp 33-46 |
| 7 | Ezenwafor-Afuecheta Chikelu I., Bright-Ajoku Chibunma A.. (2023, July), "A Structural Analysis of the Igbo Comparative Ka and it's Grammaticalised Status", Journal of the Linguistics Association of Nigeria, Vol. 26, (Issue 1), pp 26-47 |
| 8 | Bright-Ajoku Chibunma A, Ezenwafor-Afuecheta Chikelu, I.. (2023, January), "Syllable Structure and the Association of Tone in Koring", Nigerian Journal of African Studies, Vol. 5, (Issue -1) |
| 9 | Ezenwafor-Afuecheta Chikelu, I., Idoko Chika. (2023, June), "Linguistic Sexism: Perspectives from Igbo Proverbs", AMAMIHE: Journal of Applied Philosophy, Vol. -21, (Issue -3), pp 62-75 |
| 10 | Nwonu, Nkamigbo & Ezenwafor-Afuecheta. (2023, January), "Multilingualism and Insecurity", Interdisciplinary Journal of African and Asian Studies, Vol. -9, (Issue -1), pp 1-11 |
| 11 | Bright-Ajoku Chibunma A, Ezenwafor-Afuecheta Chikelu, I.. (2023, July), "On the Concept of Language Creativity: Insights from Igbo", Nigerian Journal of Arts and Humanities, Vol. -3, (Issue -1), pp 112-118 |
| 12 | Ezenwafor-Afuecheta, Adams. (2022, December), "Plural-Marking Strategies in Etulo", Awka Journal of Language and Linguistics, Vol. -1, pp 307-321 |
| 13 | Ikeomu and Ezenwafor-Afuecheta. (2021, December), "Nominal Plurality in Alago", Awka Journal of Language and Linguistics, Vol. 14, pp 89-100 |
| 14 | Ezenwafor-Afuecheta Chikelu I., Onyeocha Juliet, O.. (2021, January), "The Dynamics of Name-Taking in Igbo Society", Ochendo: An African Journal of Innovative Studies, Vol. 2, (Issue -1), pp 316-326 |
| 15 | Ezenwafor-Afuecheta Chikelu, I., Adams Inyani. (2021, June), "An Overview of Etulo: An Idomoid Language", International Journal of Language and Linguistics, Vol. -9, (Issue -3), pp 133-139 |
| 16 | Ezenwafor-Afuecheta Chikelu I.. (2021, August), "A Comparative Study of Negation in Igbo and Etulo", International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation, Vol. 7, (Issue -3), pp 83-86 |
| 17 | Bright-Ajoku Chibunma, Ezenwafor-Afuecheta Chikelu. (2021, January), "National Integration: Analysing the Dynamics of Codeswitching and Codemixing among Nigerian Artists", Uturu Journal of Languages and Linguistics, Vol. -1, (Issue -2), pp 62-73 |
| 18 | Ezenwafor-Afuecheta Chikelu, I.. (2020, May), "The Etulo Numeral System", IOSR-JHSS, Vol. -25, (Issue -5) |
| 19 | Ezenwafor-Afuecheta Chikelu I.. (2019, September), "Serial Verb Construction in Etulo", Theory and Practice in Language Studies, Vol. 9, (Issue 9), pp 2221-7 |
| 20 | Chikelu I. Ezenwafor-Afuecheta, Inyani Adams. (2019, May), "The Expression of Property Concepts in Etulo", Unizik Journal of Arts and Humanities, Vol. 20, (Issue -1), pp 97-118 |
| 21 | Ezenwafor-Afuecheta Chikelu, I.. (2017, October), "Negation Marking Strategies in Etulo", IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, Vol. -22, (Issue -10), pp 11-14 |
| 22 | Chikelu I. Ezenwafor & Chibunma A. Ezenwafor. (2015, June), "Verbs of Quality in Igbo: A Semantic and Morphosyntactic Characterization", Igbo Language Studies: A Journal of Igbo Language and Linguistics, Vol. -1, (Issue -1), pp 9-22 |
| 23 | Ezenwafor-Afuecheta Chikelu, I.. (2014, April), "Contour Tones in Igbo: 'Where they come from'", Theory and Practice in Language Studies, Vol. -4, (Issue -4), pp 661-667 |
| 24 | Ezenwafor Chikelu Ihunanya. (2013, October), "Tonemic Substitution in Ekwulobia Igbo: A Descriptive Account", Unizik Journal of Arts and Humanities, Vol. 14, (Issue 1), pp 140-149 |
| 25 | Mbagwu D.U, Ezenwafor, C.I, Egenti, C.M.. (2012, January), "Grammatical Parallelism in Igbo: Examples from Anedo's Agwo na Ihe O loro", Journal of Igbo Language Studies, Vol. 7, pp 75-88 |
| Conference Papers | |
| 1 | Chikelu Ezenwafor-Afuecheta, Chibunma Bright-Ajoku. (2023, October), "Slang Across Cultures: Emerging Trends in the Nigerian Social Media Space", Global Council for Anthropological Linguistics, pp 98-110 |
Academic Leadership Qualities
| Supervisions | |
|---|---|
| 1 | "A Morphological Study of Blending for Brand Names in Onitsha Relief Market, Anambra State" (2023). Completed Masters project by Nwonu Echezonachi Goodluck 2019056001FA |
| Grants | |
| 1 | Awardee: "Book/Publication Grant" (August, 2022 to October, 2025). Completed sponsored grant by Philological Society of London |
| 2 | Awardee: "PhD Grant" (November, 2012 to July, 2016). Completed sponsored grant by Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy |
| Editorships | |
| 1 | Editor, "Journal of Linguistics, Language and Culture" (June, 2022) |
| 2 | Editor, "Awka Journal of Linguistics and Languages, Special Edition 1" (December, 2022) |
| 3 | Editor, "Awka Journal of Linguistics and Languages, Special Edition 2" (December, 2022) |
| 4 | Editor, "IGIRIGI: A Multi-Disciplinary Journal of African Studies" (August, 2021) |
| Reviewerships | |
| 1 | Reviewer, "Afrika und Übersee" (January, 2026) |
| Examinerships | |
| 1 | Examiner, "MA Thesis Defence: Identity Construction in the Social Media: An Analysis of Selected Facebook Profiles" (January, 2023 to April, 2023). Completed Internal-External Exam |
| 2 | Examiner, "Masters Final Examination" (September, 2020 to December, 2025). Completed Internal-External Exam |
| 3 | Examiner, "MA Proposal: The Impact of Language Use in Radio Broadcasting: A Case of Radio Stations in Delta North Senatorial District" (October, 2020). Completed Internal-Internal Exam |
| 4 | Examiner, "MA Proposal" (March, 2023). Ongoing Internal-Internal Exam |
| Contributions to the University/Society | |
| 1 | Secretary, "Faculty of Arts Curriculum Committee" (April, 2025) |
| 2 | Postgraduate Coordinator, "PG Board, Department of Linguistics" (June, 2025) |
| 3 | Associate Editor, "AJILL Editorial Board, Department of Linguistics" (January, 2023) |
| 4 | Secretary, "AJILL Editorial Board, Department of Linguistics" (November, 2021 to March, 2022) |
| 5 | Abstract Chair, "Local Organising Committee of the Maiden Departmental International Conference" (June, 2021 to February, 2022) |
| 6 | Career Officer, "Career and Counselling Committee, Department of Linguistics" (June, 2021) |
| 7 | Academic Adviser, "Department of Linguistics" (January, 2019 to December, 2020) |
| 8 | Assistant Secretary, "AJILL Editorial Board, Department of Linguistics" (January, 2019) |
| 9 | Member, "Curriculum Committee, Department of Linguistics" (January, 2019) |
| 10 | Member, "International Linkage Committee, Faculty of Arts" (October, 2019 to April, 2023) |
| 11 | Member, Local Organising Committee, "Igbo Language Symposium on Grammaticalisation" (December, 2019 to December, 2019) |
| 12 | Undergraduate Program Coordinator, "Department of Linguistics" (January, 2018 to December, 2020) |
| 13 | Ad hoc Local Government Electoral Officer, "Edo Gubernatorial Election, National Independent Electoral Commission, Benin City - Edo State," (July, 2012 to July, 2012) |
| 14 | Member, "Faculty of Arts Entertainment Committee" (July, 2011 to October, 2012) |
| 15 | Assistant Secretary, "Department of Linguistics Board" (January, 2011 to October, 2012) |
| 16 | Academic Adviser, "Department of Linguistics" (January, 2011 to October, 2012) |
Membership of Professional/Relevant Bodies
| 1 | Affiliate Member, "Association of Contemporary African Linguistics" (member since 2022), https://acal.linguistlist.org/membership/ |
| 2 | Life Member, "Linguistics Association of Nigeria (LAN)" (member since 2012), https://lan.org.ng/ |
Relevant Events Attended
| Conferences | |
|---|---|
| 1 | "36th Annual Conference of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria", (Department of Linguistics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University), 21st October, 2025 to 25th October, 2025; Unizik, Awka |
| 2 | "4th International Conference of the Association of Phoneticians and Phonologists in Nigeria", (Lead University, Ibadan), 21st May, 2024 to 24th May, 2024; Ibadan |
| 3 | "The SOAS GLOCAL AFALA 2023 The GLOCAL African Conference on Linguistic Anthropology", (University of Nairobi, Kenya), 18th October, 2023 to 21st October, 2023; Nairobi, Kenya |
| 4 | "International Multidisciplinary Conference: Rethinking Language and Literature as Problem-solving Tools in the 21st Century.", (Department of Language & Literature, Lead University, Ibadan), 22nd March, 2023 to 23rd March, 2023; Zoom/Ibadan |
| 5 | "The 53rd Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL),", (University of California, San Diego), 7th April, 2022 to 9th April, 2022; Zoom, San Diego |
| 6 | "Maiden International Conference on Language, Literature and Insecurity in West Africa", (Department of Linguistics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University), 22nd March, 2022 to 25th March, 2022; Awka |
| 7 | "The Igbo Language Symposium on Gramaticalisation.", (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka), 10th July, 2020 to 10th July, 2020; Awka |
| 8 | "The 31st Annual Conference of the Linguistics Association of Nigeria (CLAN)", (University of Abuja), 5th July, 2019 to 8th July, 2019; Gwagwalada |
| 9 | "The International Conference of the World Congress of African Linguistics (WOCAL 8)", (University of Kyoto, Japan), 20th July, 2015 to 24th July, 2015; Kyoto |
| 10 | "Chronos International Conference on Actionality, Tense, Aspect and Modality", (Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy.), 16th June, 2014 to 18th June, 2014; Pisa |
| 11 | "The 25th Annual Conference of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria", (Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo), 17th October, 2012 to 19th October, 2012; Ondo |
| 12 | "The International Conference of the World Congress of African Linguistics (WOCAL)", (University of Buea, Cameroun), 17th August, 2012 to 21st August, 2012; Buea |
| 13 | "Igbo Language Symposium, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka", (Department of Linguistics), 12th October, 2011 to 13th October, 2011; Awka |
| 14 | "Annual Faculty of Arts Conference, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka", (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka), 13th May, 2010 to 14th May, 2010; Awka |
| Workshops | |
| 1 | "Training Workshop for Department Career Officers", (Center for Counselling and Career Development, Nnamdi Azikiwe University), 12th August, 2021 to 12th August, 2021; Unizik, Awka |
| 2 | "National PhD Course- 2nd NetWordS Summer School on Words: structure, meaning, acquisition, processing.", (The Norwegian Graduate Researcher School in Linguistics and Philology, Norway.), 4th July, 2014 to 9th July, 2014; Trondheim |
| 3 | "Leiden Summer School in Languages and Linguistics", (University of Leiden, Netherlands), 15th July, 2013 to 26th July, 2013; Leiden |
| 4 | "Training Workshop for Department Career Officers", (Center for Counselling and Career Development, Nnamdi Azikiwe University), Unizik, Awka |