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STAFF PROFILE

The Department of Religious Studies

Preface

The Department of Religious Studies occupies indispensable and enviable position among the programmes in Akwa Ibom State University, being the mother of all departments and all social set-ups where human beings are found. This is so because humans, the only being that has capacity for ‘self-transcendence’, are religious from cradle to the grave. Religion is so influential that everyone is interested in it, even those who do not practice it discuss it. The advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in recent time has made the world to be a global village.  Hence, inter cultural communications and interactions among the peoples of the world have increased. Unlike before, people now interact with those who profess religion(s) other than their own. Therefore, the knowledge of other people’s ideologies and faith is necessary to grasp their perspectives as per the meaning of life. This is believed, will aid inter- cultural communications and interaction.

Since its inception in 2012/2013 academic session, the Department has contributed immensely towards actualizing the vision of the University by providing qualitative teaching using approaches that are guided by global best practices, and conducts; training competent students who graduate to contribute positively to society.

This new curriculum of the Department is prepared in line with the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) newly introduced by the National Universities Commission (NUC), reflecting the 21st realities, in the existing and new disciplines and programmes in Nigerian universities. In the CCMAS, the NUC provides 70% core course requirements for graduation, while the universities provide the remaining 30% for other innovative courses that reflect the peculiarities of and realities in their environments. Hence, the Department, under the leadership of the past Acting Heads of Department, and other lecturers brainstormed, structured and provided the local contents requirements.

The new curriculum is packaged in a way that it reflects the actualization of the mission of the University and is geared towards addressing socio-cultural and religious realities in Akwa Ibom State and the entire country. The courses are meticulously designed and crafted to equip the graduates of Religious Studies not only with the knowledge of various religious traditions of mankind, but also with literary and entrepreneurial skills needed for relevance and fulfilment in the 21ist century.

The Department therefore owes a debt of gratitude to the NUC, the Akwa Ibom State University and the various scholars who paid critical roles in making sure this new curriculum is realized.

Thank you.

Dr. Asukwo E.Oko

Ag. Head of Departmen

Introduction

The Department of Religious Studies: A Historical Sketch

The Department of Religious Studies of Akwa Ibom State University came into existence in the year 2012 alongside five other departments in the Faculty of Arts, Obio Akpa Campus. The department first went through preliminary scrutiny of the inspection team of the National Universities Commission and the approval to start academic programme was granted in June 2012. The Pioneer Head of Department was Dr. Iniobong Umotong drafted from the Department of Philosophy at the beginning. He served for one academic session and was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Prof Vincent Gabriel Nyoyoko.  When academic programme commenced for the first Semester of 2012/2013 session there were three members of staff, namely Prof. Vincent Gabriel Nyoyoko who also served as Dean, Mr. (now Dr. Vincent Akinbayo Olusakin and Sr. (now Dr. Stella Patrick Essien. Also co-opted from the Department of Philosophy for the first semester was Rev. Fr. Dr. Christopher Nse Etokudoh. In the second semester late Dr. Joseph Okon, Dr. Ephraim Essien and Mr (now Dr. Inameti  L. Udo, all from the Department of Philosophy also came in to lend helping hands,

The Department started with a student population of 26. Now, the student population in the Department has increased to over 260 students. The four-year programme in the Department started in earnest in the 2012/2013 session and since then the department has painstakingly intensified rigorous academic activities geared towards securing accreditation and graduation of students at the earliest possible time.

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With full accreditation of her undergraduate programme from the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Department has graduated over six sets of graduates with Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) Degrees, and has over two hundred undergraduate students at different levels of studies. Also, additional competent lecturers have been employed by the University, which include, Dr. Dominic S.  Umoh ( Associate Professor), Dr.John Bosco Ekanem (Associate Professor), Dr. Goka M. Mpigi, Dr. Casmir P. Uyanga, Dr. Asukwo E. Oko and Dr. Aniekan E. Nana. Since inception, the Department’s curriculum was designed to expose students to a wide range of core socio-religious and cultural courses covering different religious traditions in African, Asian, and Western countries. Together with other elective courses, these courses prepare graduates for challenges of individual and societal development as well as nation building. The undergraduate programme is studied for either four-years or three years, depending on mode of admission which is either through UTME or Direct Entry, respectively. Both modes of study lead to the award of the B.A. (Hons.) Degree.

Moreover, the Department has been authorized by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer postgraduate programme, which lead to award of both Master of Arts (M.A.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D), Degrees in different areas of specializations including African Traditional Religion, Biblical Studies (Old and New Testaments), Philosophy of Religion, Religious Ethics, Church History and Sociology of Religion. With the authorization and commencement of operations in 2019/2020 academic session, the Department has trained and is still training postgraduate students at these two levels

Rationale for the Establishment of the Department

The rationale for the establishment of the department is derived from the experience and demands of the society the programme is designed to serve.  To this end, the programme envisions the need:

  1. To cater for the interest of students offering a full four-year or three-year B.A. Degree in Religious and Cultural Studies as well as that of the Faculty of Education students who have Religious Studies as their teaching subject.
  2. To keep faith with the time-honoured tradition of religio-cultural scholarship, which recognizes change and innovation as the core of religious studies. To understand the nature and direction of this change, it becomes expedient that the study of religious studies, especially its scope and techniques should change from time to time.  The need to address this apparent challenge is therefore a major impetus for the review and modification of the traditional Department of Religious Studies focus.
  3. To remain relevant to the changing demands of the dynamic local, national and international community.  As we enter the Twenty-first century there is an array of greater and more complex challenges the Religious Studies graduate has to confront in order to adjust and modify the intellectual and the professional foundations of his skills to be able to contribute meaningfully, and benefit maximally from the challenges and opportunities the new millennium presents.
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4. To maintain the plausibility and interdisciplinary nature of this programme in meeting the expectations and needs of the contemporary age, as religion is best studied in the context of a people’s culture, and as no religion has ever emerged except within a culture and vice-versa, this programme is hereby presented. Again, as a fundamental institution of society, a multidisciplinary approach to the study of religion is necessary in order not to leave out other structural properties of culture that link up with the religions of people in the actual functioning of society.

Philosophy of the Programme

The course is designed to cover all the facets of religious phenomena as they affect the history, tradition, economic, social, political and ethics of man. The effect of this approach is to develop man in his existential reality to produce an all-round society in realizing life objectives. Thus, emphasis is placed on those religious traditions which have the greatest importance in the history of Africa – the various Indigenous Religious Traditions, Christianity and Islam and Indian religions with their ethical demands.

Objective of the Programme

1. acquaint students with the main contents of the major religious traditions commonly practised in Africa, namely: Christianity, Islam and Traditional Religion. The programme does not present any religious system as a sui generis exclusivist system; hence it also delves into other world religious phenomena such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Zoroastrianism and Jainism;

2. equip the products of this programme for the teaching career, administration, social work and offer them solid academic background for professional degrees in Journalism and Law;

3.orient students towards developing minds of a broad spectrum conducive to a pluralistic society such as Nigeria; and

4. prepares students for further studies in the discipline.

CURRENT SECRETARIAT AT A GLANCE

A Word from the HOD

We warmly welcome our alumni, prospective and continuing students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders to the Department of Religious Studies, Akwa Ibom State University. We sincerely appreciate your interest in our Department. Our vision is to provide leadership in the study of religion and culture in Africa and beyond. We are committed to offering high-quality academic engagement with religion and culture from African perspectives, with the goal of becoming a globally recognized centre of excellence in this field. We strive to deliver qualitative teaching based on global best practices, producing competent graduates who make positive contributions to society. Equally, we are dedicated to continuous staff development, exposing our academics to both local and international competitive research opportunities. In addition, we seek to foster strong collaborations with renowned universities worldwide for mutually beneficial research partnerships. Since the Department’s inception and its first Headship in 2012, these objectives have remained central to our vision and mission across successive administrations. We warmly invite you to join us in sustaining and advancing this noble pursuit.

Dr. Asukwo E. Oko

Dip. Theo., OND, B.A, M.A., Ph.D

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

PAST HEADS OF DEPARTMENT

Dr. I. Umuotong

Dr. I. Umuotong

2012-2013

Prof. V. G. Nyoyoko

Prof. V. G. Nyoyoko

2013

Dr. Dominic S. Umoh

Dr. Dominic S. Umoh

2013-2017

Dr. Goka M. Mpigi

Dr. Goka M. Mpigi

2017-2021

Dr. Vincent A. Olusakin

Dr. Vincent A. Olusakin

2021-2023

Rev. Sr. Dr. Stella P. Essien

Rev. Sr. Dr. Stella P. Essien

2023-2025

CURRENT ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Akpan, Ernest Jonah

The Current Secretary of the Department

Akpan, Ernest Jonah is the current Departmental Secretary serving the office of the HOD directly and also serving other arms of the Department.  His responsibilities include preparation of the HOD’s itinerary, processing of all in-coming and out-going correspondences for the HOD, and reception of visitors on behalf of the HOD. Mr Ernest can be reached at secretary office of the Department in Faculty of Arts Block as well as his phone contact, 08030910325. Mr Akpan, Ernest Jonah holds HND in Secretariat Studies (Akwa Poly) and     PGD in Business (UniUyo)

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Uduaobong George Udo

Uduaobong George Udo

Senior Assistant Registrar

Imeofon Anietie Ekaette

Imeofon Anietie Ekaette

Assistant Chief Executive Officer

Rose Friday Sam

Rose Friday Sam

Chief Clerical Officer

TEACHING STAFF

(Click on the photo for Profile)

Professor Dominic Sunday Umoh

Philosophy of Religion & Religious Ethics

Professor John Bosco Ekanem

Anthropology specializing in Legal Anthropology and Anthropology of Religion

Dr. Vincent Akinbayo Olusakin

Senior Lecturer and immediate past Head of the Department of   Religious Studies

Dr. Asukwo Edet Oko

Acting Head of Department and Student’s Academic Adviser

Dr. Stella Patrick Essien

Acting Head of the Department of Religious Studies

Dr. Aniekan Etim Nana

Lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies

WHAT STANDS US OUT

Employability Skills Emphasised

Graduates of this programme will possess literary and entrepreneurial skills which include ability to write books, ability to be involved in film production, drama, and documentation. They would also be able to project faith and morals through their literary works. They would be able to establish, run schools and get involved in economic activities in the different religions Familiarity with economic activities in the different Religions

21st Century Skills Emphasis

The program would lead to the development and acquisition of the following 21st century skills;

  1. teamwork spirit;
  2. digital literacy;
  3. creativity;
  4. communication skills; and
  5. societal problem solving skills

Unique Features of the Programme

At the end of the program the students will be equipped with the religious concepts that promote creativity and the economic activities they can delve into in other to be self-employed. They would have been equipped with creative abilities and motivated to solve societal problems through Innovations and risk-taking for-profit, having been exposed to the all-encompassing issues in religious studies (health, dietary rules, economy, arts-and-crafts, literary education).

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Movement and activities of religions and practitioners internationally is one of the unique features of the program. It will expose students to gender issues to enhance equality of males and females in religious practices and ensure contributions of both sexes to the overall development of the society in general. Religions and their teachings on sexuality is also emphasized to provide guidance and influence attitudes and value systems positively.

Admission and Graduation Requirements

Admission Requirements

The Department admits candidates for two sets of full-time undergraduate programmes: Admissions into the Akwa Ibom State University shall be through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) or Direct Entry. In Addition to attaining the general required standard in UTME, candidates must satisfy the general University requirements as well as the specific School/Faculty and programmes requirements. All admissions shall be through JAMB.

Graduation Requirements

Students must take 120 units and these include all the departmental core courses, faculty courses, and the general studies courses (70% of the 120 units) and the prescribed courses in the University (30% of the 120 units) before graduation.

Academic Programmes

At the moment, the Department runs B. A. (Hon.) in Religious Studies, M.A.  and Doctorate programme.

Duration of Programme

The B.A. (Hons) Full-time programme through the UTME normally takes four years to complete. The maximum is six years. B.A. (Hons.) Full-time programme through the Direct Entry lasts for a minimum of three years and a maximum five years,

 Postgraduate Programmes

Admission Requirements

  1. a) Master of Arts Programme

All candidates must possess a minimum of five Ordinary Level Credit Passes which must include English Language and any four of the Arts and Social Science subjects.

Candidates must possess a good Bachelor’s degree in Religion and its variants (e.g. Religious Studies, Religious and Cultural Studies, Religious Management and Cultural Studies, Islamic or Christian Religious Studies, Theology, etc.), not lower than a Second Class Lower division, from a recognized university.

All candidates shall be subjected to a selection process.

  1. b) PhD Programme

Candidate must possess a good Master’s degree in Religion or its variants from a recognized university, with a CGPA not below 3.5 on a five-point scale. Candidates who did not make up to 3.5 will be required to register for the M.Phil/ PhD programme. Such candidates must present two seminars and a research proposal for grading and must score a minimum CGPA of 3.5 before proceeding to the PhD, otherwise the MPhil Degree should be awarded upon the submission of a thesis. This thesis should be examined following the procedure of a PhD thesis.

Duration of Programme

Master Degree Programme

Full-time: Minimum of three (3) semesters and a maximum of six (6) semesters.

Part-time: Minimum of four (4) semesters and a maximum of eight (8) semesters.

Master degree shall carry a minimum work load of 30 credit units of which 6 credit units are for the thesis

For all postgraduate coursework, the minimum pass score shall be 50%; continuous assessment shall constitute 30-40% of the examination for each course

Any student, who fails in any course, shall repeat such a course;

Any student whose CGPA falls below 2.50 after the second semester is deemed to have failed, and shall be withdrawn from the programme.

PhD Programme

Full-time: Minimum of four (4) semesters and a maximum of ten (10) semesters.

Part-time: Minimum of six (6) semesters and a maximum of fourteen (14) semesters.

Ph.D – A minimum workload of 27 credit units of which 9 credit units are for the thesis.

For all postgraduate coursework, the minimum pass score shall be 50%; continuous assessment shall constitute 30-40% of the examination for each course

Any student, who fails in any course, shall repeat such a course;

Any student whose CGPA falls below 2.50 after the second semester is deemed to have failed, and shall be withdrawn from the programme.