Jeff Unaegbu

Jephthah Elochukwu Unaegbu (born 1 October 1979) is a Nigerian writer, researcher, freelance journalist, actor, and documentary filmmaker.

Early Life and Education

Jephthah Elochukwu Unaegbu was born on 1 October 1979 in Amankwo-Inyi, Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria, as the eldest of five children to John Ejike Unaegbu and Cecilia Enonanma Unaegbu. He attended Government Secondary School, Minna, Niger State, from 1990 to 1996. In 2000, he earned a Diploma in Computer Data Processing from Muhanatu Computer Institute. Unaegbu pursued higher education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication (2002–2006). During his time at UNN, he served as chief editor of Roar Magazine and won academic faculty and poetry prizes. In 2018, he earned an MA in African Studies from the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria.

Career

University Service

In 2008, Unaegbu joined the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as a Higher Technical Officer. He advanced to the position of Research Fellow in 2021.

Writing

Unaegbu began his writing career as an executive officer with the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans in the Ministry of Commerce at Alausa, Ikeja. His debut book, Ode on Lagos (This Lagos Na Wa) and Other Poetic Portraits, was published in January 2006 by Prize Publishers, with a later edition in 2010 by Pitmak Books, Abuja. On 2 April 2007, Newswatch magazine noted that the book contained "a longest poem by a Nigerian," while The Roar described it as "the longest metrical poem in Africa." The book was shortlisted and placed third for the Association of Nigerian Authors/Cadbury Prize.

While awaiting his final undergraduate results, Unaegbu wrote his second book, Freedom in Our Bones: The History of the Students’ Union Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1960–2004, published in March 2007. During his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posting in Otu-oke, Ogbia, Bayelsa State, he authored Origins of the NYSC and co-authored a biography of Professor Alexander Obiefoka Enukora Animalu with Godfrey Akpojotor. Former Nigerian Minister Bartholomew Nnaji praised the book for its vivid depiction of life in Lagos during the late 1950s.

Unaegbu’s subsequent works include The Secret Principles of Female Powers (2009), Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama African World Challenge: Arts and Science in the Reconstruction of the Consciousness of Africans in the 21st Century (co-authored with Professors Alexander Animalu and Grace Achufusi), The Youth and National Development in Nigeria (2010, co-authored with Professor Emeka Joseph Otagburuagu and N.C. Ohia), and his debut short story collection, This Mosquito in Your Net. His story "Prey" was shortlisted for the inaugural African Writing Prize for Flash Fiction. In 2011, he received a travel fellowship from the African Studies Association of the United Kingdom (ASAUK) to attend a workshop for African scholars at Osun State University.

In 2012, Unaegbu, alongside Professors Alex Animalu and Sam Onuigbo, edited volumes of the University of Nigeria Book of Fame, profiling notable alumni and faculty such as Chinua Achebe, Onigu Otite, and Peter Obi. That same year, he co-authored Biography of the Eminent Pioneer Geophysicist: Cyril Agodi Onwumechili with A.O.E. Animalu and Francisca Nneka Okeke. In 2013, he and Professor Sam Onuigbo published Fifty Years of African Studies: The History of the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1963–2013), a work referenced in Transformations in Africana Studies: History, Theory and Epistemology.

In 2014, Unaegbu co-authored Braving the Stars: The Biography of Pius Nwankwo Okeke, Famous Nigerian Space Scientist and Professor of Physics with Dr. Sam Chukwu. The book’s e-version was later cited by Book Authority as one of the five Best Nigerian Biography eBooks of All Time. Also in 2014, he co-authored 92 Days in Power: Dr. A.A. Nwafor-Orizu (GCON) as Acting President of Nigeria (October 16, 1965–January 15, 1966) with Janna Nwafor-Orizu, with a foreword by former Nigerian President Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Additionally, he contributed to Iroko from Sapling: The History of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1961–2014) with Professor Emeritus Chijioke Nwosu and others.

In 2017, Unaegbu co-authored Pride of the Den: The History of the Faculty of the Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1973–2017) with Professors Fidelis Ugwuowo and UC Okoro. In 2018, he co-authored Biography of Nigeria’s Foremost Professor of Mechanical Engineering: Gordian Ezekwe with Professor Emeritus Alex Animalu and Thaddeus Udeinya. In 2020, Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie acknowledged Unaegbu, Alexander Animalu, and Peter Uche for co-authoring her father’s biography, Biography of Nigeria’s Foremost Professor of Statistics, Prof. James Nwoye Adichie.

Unaegbu’s The Jephian Philosophy (2020) explores meditations on the nature of God and the meaning of life, earning praise from cognitive scientist Noam Chomsky. His short story collection Sambisa Forest and Other Stories (2021) includes the shortlisted story "Prey," the long-listed "Bye-Bye" for the 2018 Diana Woods Memorial Award, and "The Fulani Damsel," published in Litro Magazine (UK). In 2021, he co-authored Elephant Tusk: An Epic, a collaborative epic poem initiated on social media in 2016, performed as spoken word poetry in 2017, and published in book form.

In 2022, Unaegbu, Sam Chukwu, and Chinedu Nsofor authored Amazing Grace: The Authorized Biography of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, presented during Iwuanyanwu’s 80th birthday celebration. With Professor Uzodinma Nwala, he co-authored The Alaigbo Development Foundation: Ten Years of Struggle and Service to the Igbo Nation (2014–2024).

Unaegbu has published numerous book chapters and journal articles, including works on Igbo proverbs, African worldviews, and Nigerian elections. His essays, published in online magazines, address topics such as the Nigerian Centenary awards, the Igbo concept of Ikenga, and war veteran Joe Achuzia. As a freelance journalist, he has interviewed notable Nigerian authors like Chika Unigwe and Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo. In 2011, he organized the Cecilia Unaegbu Prize in Flash Fiction, judged by Unoma Azuah, and served as a judge for the Eriata Oribhabor Poetry Prize in 2012.

Public Service

On 1 October 2019, Unaegbu was appointed envoy/ambassador of the Oja Cultural Development Initiative (OCDI). In December 2019, he participated in a residency in Zimbabwe to supervise the construction of an Igbo indigenous compound for the Sounds of the Sacred Webs Festival (August 2019–July 2020) and engaged in cultural exchanges with the Dzimbanhete Arts and Culture Interactions Trust (DACIT). He also represented the Igbo ethnic group at the “Harare Conversations” hosted by the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, discussing themes of cultural epistemology alongside representatives from other African ethnic groups.

In 2020, Unaegbu led the construction of a large hand statue at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, symbolizing the philosophy of the university’s founding fathers. In 2022, he was appointed Director of Protocol and Strategic Contacts by the Tropical Gate Foundation for Sustainable Development.

Activism

In 2012, Unaegbu co-founded the Occupy Nigeria Facebook group (Nationwide Anti-Fuel Subsidy Removal: Strategies & Protests) with Gimba Kakanda and Richard Ali, sparking nationwide youth protests against the removal of fuel subsidies by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. This movement was the subject of a PhD thesis by George Emeka Agbo at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, in 2016.

Works

Filmography

• Saved by Sin, Part 2 (2007), directed by Fidelis Uchenna Okoro
• Saved by Sin, Part 3 (2007)
• Zik of Africa: A Historical Reflection (2008/2010)
• Journalism (Flash Documentary, 2010)

Short Story Collections

• This Mosquito in Your Net (Nsukka: Global Publishers, 2010). ISBN 978-31647-4-0
• Sambisa Forest and Other Stories (2021)

Poetry

• Ode on Lagos (This Lagos Na Wa) and Other Poetic Portraits (Prize Publishers, 2006; Pitmak Books, 2010)
• Elephant Tusk: An Epic (2021)
• "There May Be A Historian Amongst the Ants" in Best "New" African Poets Anthology 2020, edited by Tendai Rinos Mwanaka

Nonfiction

• Freedom in Our Bones: The History of the Students’ Union Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1960–2004) (Onitsha: Blue Publishers, 2007, 2008). ISBN 978-35602-2-0
• The Origins of the NYSC (Nsukka: Global Publishers, 2009). ISBN 978-33254-4-2
• Alexander O.E. Animalu: A Biography of the Distinguished Professor of Physics (co-authored with G.E. Akpojotor, Abuja: Ucheakonam Foundation, 2008). ISBN 978-049-891-5
• Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama African World Challenge: Arts and Science in the Reconstruction of the Consciousness of Africans in the 21st Century (co-authored with A.O.E. Animalu, W.A. Umezinwa, and G. Achufusi, Enugu: Snaap Publishers, 2009). ISBN 978-049-951-2
• The Youth and National Development in Nigeria (co-edited with E.J. Otagburuagu and N.C. Ohia, Nsukka: Global Publishers/Benak Ventures, 2010). ISBN 978-8060-35-8
• Biography of Nigeria’s Foremost Professor of Statistics, Prof. James Nwoye Adichie (co-authored with A.O.E. Animalu and Peter Uche, Abuja: Ucheakonam Foundation, 2013). ISBN 979-8592635113
• Fifty Years of African Studies: The History of the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1963–2013) (co-authored with Sam Onuigbo, 2013)
• Braving the Stars: The Biography of Pius Nwankwo Okeke, Famous Nigerian Space Scientist and Professor of Physics (co-authored with Sam Chukwu, 2014)
• 92 Days in Power: Dr. A.A. Nwafor-Orizu (GCON) as Acting President of Nigeria (October 16, 1965–January 15, 1966) (co-authored with Janna Nwafor-Orizu, 2014)
• Iroko from Sapling: The History of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1961–2014) (co-authored with Chijioke Nwosu and others, 2014)
• Pride of the Den: The History of the Faculty of the Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1973–2017) (co-authored with Fidelis Ugwuowo and UC Okoro, 2017)
• Biography of Nigeria’s Foremost Professor of Mechanical Engineering: Gordian Ezekwe (co-authored with A.O.E. Animalu and Thaddeus Udeinya, 2018)
• The Jephian Philosophy (2020)
• Amazing Grace: The Authorized Biography of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (co-authored with Sam Chukwu and Chinedu Nsofor, 2022)
• The Alaigbo Development Foundation: Ten Years of Struggle and Service to the Igbo Nation (2014–2024) (co-authored with Uzodinma Nwala)

Academic Publications

• Unaegbu, J. et al. “Does the imposition of a Candidate at Party Primaries Increase the Probability of Winning an Election?”
• Unaegbu, J. "Igbo Post-Contact Proverbs of the Inyi Community"
• Alexander O.E. Animalu & Jeff Unaegbu, “Gaia Hypothesis from an African Perspective”
• Unaegbu, J.E. (2023). “Igbophobia in Lagos and Nigeria 2023 Elections: Myth or Reality?”
• Unaegbu, J. et al. "Nnamdi Azikiwe Center: Historicizing the Immortalization of Zik’s Lodge in Nigeria—the Journey, the Project, and Tourism Potentials"
• Unaegbu, Jeff & Ezeigbo, Joy, “Exploring The Existence Of The Supreme Deity Concept In Igbo Premissionary Contact Religious Thoughts”
• Emeka Nwabueze and Jeff Unaegbu, “Cladding A Galaxy Of Reflections: A Critical Appraisal Of B.O.N. Eluwa’s Ado-Na-Idu: History Of Igbo Origin”
• Orajaka, Susan Nwakaego & Unaegbu, Jeff, “Igbo Minstrels As Pathfinders In Contemporary Society: Social Changes And Challenges”
• Jephthah Unaegbu, “A Warrior on Horseback (Three Tributes to Prof. BIC Ijomah)”
• Unaegbu, Jeff and Ani, Jude (2017). “A Conceptualized Critique of Achebe’s ‘An Image of Africa: Racism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness’” in Chinua Achebe and the Convolutions of Immortality: Re-assessing the Writer in Relation to New Realities (Emeka Nwabueze, ed.). Enugu: CNC Publications, pp. 309–320
• Animalu, A.O.E., Unaegbu, J.E., and Ani, J. (2019). "Complementary Dualism of Two Cultures: Oduche’s Box and the Snake in Arrow of God" in New Frontiers in Contemporary African Studies (Emeka Nwabueze, ed.)
• Unaegbu, J. & Animalu, A.O.E. (2010). “The Resolution of Two Worldviews: Values for a New African Leadership” in Perspectives on Leadership in Africa (edited by Egodi Uchendu, Pat Uche Okpoko, Edlyne Anugwom)

Personal Life

Unaegbu is married to Ogechukwu Sonia Unaegbu.

See Also

• List of Nigerian film producers
• List of Nigerian writers
• University of Nigeria, Nsukka