Dr. Ubon Asuquo Essien


Dr. Ubon Asuquo Essien


Lecturer I

B. Agric., MSc., PhD
Email: ubon.essien@futo.edu.ng

Biography

Dr. Ubon Asuquo Essien Started his career as an Assistant Lecturer and presently, he is at the rank of Lecturer 1 in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

Early in his career at the University, he was appointed an Executive Director in charge of Agricultural Services at the Cross River Basin Development Authority (an agency of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources) by His Excellency, President Mohammadu Buhari, for a period of three years from January 2017 to January 2020.

While on the saddle as an Executive Director, Dr. Ubon Essien Doubled as the Chairman Board of Governors, Cross River Basin Development Authority Schools and the supervising Executive Director, CRIBAS Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of the Cross River Basin Development Authority, responsible for commercial activities.

Dr. Essien holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Agricultural Finance and Project Analysis from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He has received a lot of training and certifications within and outside his core discipline; one such is a Professional Certification in global health research from the University of Washington.

He has published articles in revered Journals and is a member of several professional bodies. He bagged the 2019 Farm Management Association of Nigeria (FAMAN) prestigious “Award of Excellence” for outstanding contributions to the development of Agriculture in Nigeria. A lover of sports, Essien watches football and wrestling at his leisure. He is married to Daberechi and the marriage is blessed with children.

Academic Qualification

2022                University of Washington, Professional Certificate in Global Health Research edGH

2010- 2015         University of Nigeria, Nsukka

  • Ph.D Agricultural Economics (Agricultural Finance and Project Analysis)

2005-2009          Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

  • M Sc. Agricultural Economics (Agricultural Finance)

1996-2002          University of Calabar, Nigeria.

  • B. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics and Extension)

1989-1994       Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria

  • W. A. S. C. (West African School Certificate)

1982 -1988         Apostolic Nursery and Primary School, Abak, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

  • First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC)

Honours/Awards

  • FARM MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (FAMAN); Award of Excellence for Outstanding contribution to the development of Agriculture in Nigeria -8/10/2019

 

  • DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI;

Token of Appreciation, in recognition for selfless contribution to the department-14/12/2021

 

  • WRITE-FOR-ME ORGANISATION. Best book title award, January 2022
 

Affiliations

  • Member, Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economist
  • Member, Farm management Association of Nigeria
  • Member, Hydrological Society of Nigeria
  • Member, Organic agriculture Organization of Nigeria

Courses Assigned to Teach

  • AEC 301 Introduction to Farm Management and Production Economics(Under graduate)
  • AEC303 Agricultural Marketing and cooperative (Undergraduate)
  • AEC501 Macro Economics Analysis(Undergraduate)
  • AEC514 Agricultural Financial Management (Undergraduate)
  • AEC 413 Statistics and Research Methods (Undergraduate)
  • Agricultural Price Analysis(Post Graduate)
  • AEC701 Principles of Micro-Economics(Post Graduate)
  • AEC 817 Agricultural Project planning and Evaluation(Post Graduate)
  • AEC707 Agricultural Marketing(Post Graduate)
  • AEC710 Agricultural Finance( Post Graduate)
  • AEC513 Agricultural Finance(Undergraduate)
  • AEC502 Agricultural Production Economics(Undergraduate)
  • AEC304 Agricultural Statistics and Biometry
  • AEC 717Agricultural Project Planning and Evaluation
  • AEC817 Agricultural Project Analysis and Evaluation
  • AEC905 Project Appraisal and Evaluation
  • AEC919 Money and Capital Markets
  • AEC810 Agricultural Finance
  • AEC906 Advanced Agricultural Financial Management

Experience

  • Lecturer – Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria (2013 till date)

Duties:

  • Research
  • Teaching
  • Community Service

 

(ii) Executive Director (Agricultural Services), Cross River Basin Development Authority, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Abuja, Nigeria, January2017- January2020

Duties:

  • Taking responsibility for agricultural development, extension services,

Commercial crops production, research and seed multiplication

  • Ensuring the implementation of approved agricultural plans and programmes
  • Take responsibility for fisheries development
  • Taking responsibility for livestock and forestry development
  • Coordinating the commercial activities of the Authority
  • Setting and reviewing revenue targets of the Authority
  • Undertaking regular revenue monitoring and preparing strategic management report for pricing and revenue improvement
  • Marketing the Authority’s commercial ventures
  • Coordinating activities of the Cooperative Societies
  • Coordinating State, Local Government and Communities partnership and investment
  • Bilateral and Multilateral relationships
  • Monitoring of Authority’s irrigation and agriculture projects and periodic review and setting of targets for project officers.
  • Coordinating the activities of IWRM
  • Any other duties that may be assigned by the Managing Director.

(iii) Chairman, Board of Governors, Cross River Basin Development Authority Schools, January 2017 to January 2020

Duties:

  • Seeing to the implementation of the School’s broad policies
  • Overseeing appointment to positions in the school
  • Presiding over board meetings
  • Regulating the activities of staff and other employees
  • Other versight functions

 

(iv) Supervising Director, CRIBAS Nig. Ltd, a subsidiary of Cross River Basin Development Authority, January 2017 to January2020

Duties:

  • Setting and reviewing revenue targets of the company
  • Coordinating the commercial activities of the company
  • Bilateral relationships

 

 (v)  Managing Director, Asubon & Sons Enterprises, Livestock/Poultry farm Centre, Abak, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. 2011 till date.

Duties:

  • Overseeing the activities of the company
  • Setting and reviewing sales/revenue targets
  • Setting targets for increased production
  • Ensuring that product standards are maintained
  • Ensuring customers satisfaction

 

 (vi) Assistant Lecturer, Akwa Ibom State College of Agriculture, Obio Akpa, 2005.

Duties

  • Research
  • Teaching
  • Community Services

 

(vii)Teacher, Government Arabic and Islamic Secondary School, Wasagu, Kebi State (NYSC), 2004

Duties:

Teaching

Research Interest

Agribusiness projects and entrepreneurship, Smart Agriculture, Market Dynamics, and most recently Agricultural Water Management

Publications

  1. Essien, U. A. & Idiong, I. C. (2008). Determinants of informal credit use by gender in food crop farming in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Nigerian Southeast Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension, 8(1& 2), 28-32.

 

  1. Idiong, I. C., Essien, U. A. & Akpan, S. B. (2010). Frequency of credit disbursement to food crop farmers in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, a Poisson regression approach. Nigerian South East Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension, 9.

 

  1. Akpan, S. B., Udoh, E. J., Essien, U. A. & Aya, E. A. (2010). Analysis of productivity of small-holder Telfairia based farmers in southern Cross River State; Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 9 (2), 35-40.

 

  1. Akpan, S. B. & Essien, U. A. (2010). Productivity of homestead Yam Farmers; an empirical evidence from southern Cross River state. Journal of Sustainable Development in Agriculture and environment, 6(1).

 

  1. Nwaru J. C., Essien, U. A. & Onouha, R. E. (2011). Determinants of informal credit demand and supply among food crop farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Journal of Rural and Community Development, 6(1), 129-139.

 

  1. Akpan, S. B., Udo, U. J. & Essien, U. A. (2011). Influence of firm related factors and industrial policy regime on technology based capacity utilization in the sugar industry in Nigeria. Agris Online Paper on Economics and Informatics, 3(3), 1-22.

 

  1. Akpan, S. B., Aya, E. A., Essien, U. A., Akpan, O. D., & Bassey, N. E. (2011). Analysis of total factor productivity among smallholder vegetable farmers in Akwa  Ibom State, Nigeria.  Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment, 7(4), 68-74.

 

  1. Akpan, S. B., Nkanta, V. S. & Essien, U. A. (2012). A double hurdle model of fertilizer adoption and optimum use among farmers in Southen Nigeria. Tropicultura, 30(4), 249-253.

 

  1. Akpan, S. B., Akpan, O. D. & Essien, U. A. (2012). Government agricultural credit policy and macroeconomic fundamentals: A case of agricultural credit guarantee scheme fund (ACGSF) in Nigeria. Public Policy and Administration Research, 2 (2), 62-75. ISSN 2224-5731(Paper) ISSN 2225-0972 (online).

 

  1. Essien, U. A., Arene C. J. & Nweze N. J. (2013). What determines the frequency of loan demand among small scale agro-based enterprises in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria? An Empirical Analysis. Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability, 4 (2), 77-98.

 

  1. Essien, U. A., Arene, C. J. &, Nweze, N. J. (2013). An investigation into credit receipt and enterprise performance by small scale agro-based enterprises in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeia. International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development, 3(4), 245-258.

 

  1. Essien, U. A. & Arene, C. J. (2013). Analyses of Loan default and business performance among small scale Agro-based enterprises in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture, socio-economics and sustainable environment. Vol.1(2), Pp 52-64.

 

  1. Essien, U. A. & Arene, C. J. (2014). Can Access to informal credit markets improve the performance of rural-based agro-allied enterprises? Evidence from the Rural Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. International Journal of Rural Studies(IJRS), 21(1), 13-18.

 

  1. Essien, U. A. & Arene, C. J. (2014). An analysis of access to credit markets and the performance of small scale agro-based enterprises in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. International Journal of food and Agricultural Economics, 2 (3). (ISSN 2147-8988).

 

  1. Essien, U. A., Ibekwe, U. C., Akpan, S. B., and Ben-Chendo, N. G. (2016). Determinants of Informal Credit Delinquency Among Food Crop Farmers in Rural Niger Delta, Nigeria. Review of Agriculture and Applied Economics, XIX(1), 50-55.

 

  1. Benchendo, G. N., O. C. Okorie, Essien, U. A. & I. J. Uhegbulum (2014). Determinants of land holding size among rice farmers in South East Nigeria, Asian Review of Environmental and Earth sciences, Vol. 1(3)56-60.

 

  1. Chikezie C, Ibekwe U. C, Ohajianya D. O, Orebiyi J. S, Ehirim N. C, Henri-Ukoha A, Nwaiwu I.U.O, Ajah E. A, Essien U. A, Anthony G and Oshaji, I.O. (2015).  Effect of Climate Change on Food Crop Production in Southeast Nigeria: A co-integration Model Approach.  International Journal of Weather, Climate Change and Conservation Research Vol.2, No.1, pp.47-56.

 

  1. Ehirim, N.C., Onyeagocha S.U.O., Ben-Chendo, G.N. Essien, A, Osuji E.E. & Okwara, M.O.(2016). Farming Techniques, Environmental challengies and Technical Efficiency of Sweet Potato Production in Abia State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development, Vol. 6(4).

 

  1. Ehirim, N.C, Essien, U. A., Ikheoloa, Nwachukwu E. U. (2019). Analysis of economic efficiency of egg production in imo state (stochastic frontier approach). Advances in Social Research Journal, Vol6(7)

 

  1. Ibeagwa, O. B., Essien, U. A., Benchendo G. N., Ehirim, N. C., Iyede, E. I., and Onwazombe, O. L.(2018). Analysis of Consumer Demand for Fermented Castor Oil Seed in Anambra State of Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology. Vol 4(2) Pp 96-102.

 

  1. Ibeagwa, O.B. Ehirim, N.C1, Ukoha, I.I., Essien, U.A., Offor, E.I., Uhuegbulem, I.J, Azubogu, C.C.,Nnamerenwa, G.C (2020). Analysis of the Profitability and Viability of the Non-timber Forest Products Marketing in Imo State, Nigeria. Kobia International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Studies,Vol1(1),Pp1-7

 

  1. Ibeagwa, O.B., Nwaiwu. I. U. O., Ukoha I.I., Osuji, M.N., Essien U.A., Chikezie C., and Nwachukwu E. U. (2020). Comparative Analysis of Food Security Status of Male and Female Headed Farming Households in Imo State, Journal of Agricultural Science and Practice, Vol. 5(5), Pp193-201. ISSN:2536-7072

 

  1. Odok G. N., Unaeze H. C., Ogueri, E. I., Essien, U. A., Ukpong C. A., Bassey J. E., Onini M. T., Ezebuike, I. R. and Ohajianya, D. O.(2018).Climate Variability, Incidences and Mitigation Strategies among Poultry Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria, International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research. Vol 5(3), 38-45.

 

  1. Okon, U. E, Nkeme, k. k. and Essien, U. A.(2018). Understanding Urban Farm Households Vulnerability to Economic Shocks in South-South Nigeria. American Journal of Human Ecology, Vol. 7(2), 1-9.

 

  1. Okon, U. E., Nkeme, K. K.,Essien, U. A., Solomon, U. U.(2018). Urban Farmers’ Willingness to Pay and Utilization of Urban Waste for Agriculture in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 6(10)

 

  1. Okon, U. E. , Essien, U. A., and Udousoro I. A. (2019). Drivers of Household Decision Making in Agro-Forestry Practices in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Advances in Social Science and Culture, vol 1(1).

 

  1. Oshaji, I. O., Henri-Ukoha A., Essien, U. A. Ibeagwa, O. B. Uhuegbulem, I. J.and Ejike, O. U.(2016). Productivity of Enterprises owned by Women Loan Beneficiaries and Non-Loan Beneficiaries in Imo States, Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis. International Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Research, Vol4(1), Pp 123-129

 

  1. Osuji E. E., Okwara M. O., Essien, U. A., Agu, C. G., and Oguegbuchalam, M. N. (2019) Sustainability of Climate Change Adaptation measures in South South Nigeria. Agriculture and food Science Research, Vol.6(1),120-126.

 

  1. Osuji, E. E., M. O. Okwara, A. Essien, U.G. Anyanwu, and C. N. Praise (2019). Diversification of Agriculture and Power Sector Reforms in Nigeria; Impetus for Economic Growth and Development.Agricultural Science Research Journal, Vol(9)Issue(7):95-101, September2019.

 

  1. Ukoha, I. I., Henri-Ukoha, A., Ibeagwa, O., Essien, U. A., and Osuji, M. N. (2017). Determinants of Rural Farmers Preference for Cash-Less Transactions in Imo State. Review of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Vol1,Pp16-19

 

  1. Offor, O. S., Udoh, E. S & Essien, U. A.(2020): Perspectives on food security and coping strategy of farm households in Niger Delta, Nigeria. AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, Vol. 3(1), 34-42

 

  1. Ohajianya, D.O., Anunobi, C., Unaeze, H.C. Ogueri, E.I. Essien, U.A., Ukpong,C.A., Bassey, J.E., Onini, M.T. Ezebuike, I.R., Chibundu, E.I., and Odok, G.N.(2021) Influence of Fiscal and Monetary Policies on Agricultural Output in Nigeria (1999-2015) FUTO JOURNAL SERIES 2467-8325 Volume-7, Issue-1, pp22-36

 

  1. Ehirim NC, Osuji EE, Tim-Ashama AC, Essien UA, Eze EU, Praise CN, Anyanwu UG(2022) Economic Efficiency of Processed Hibiscus Sabdanriffa (Roselle Drink) in Imo State,  Nigeria World Scientific Research 9, No. 1, 20-26, 2022 , ISSN(E) 24116661/ISSN(P) 2518 0177  DOI: 10.20448/wsr.v9i1.3970

 

PUBLISHED PAPERS IN CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

  1. Ibeagwa O. B., Onyebinama, U.A. U., Simonyan, J.B., Chikezie, C. Ukoha I. I. and Essien, U. A. (2015). Analyses of project Infrastructure and income of beneficiaries in the national fadama development project in Imo state, Nigeria. NAAE conference, October, 2015.

 

  1. Ehirim, N.C, Benchendo, G.N, Osuji, E.E., Gbolagun, A.O., Essien, U.A., Rahji, M.A.Y., Kings-Timipre, P., and Iroabuchi, J.N.(2019). Analysis of economic efficiency of egg production in imo state (stochastic frontier approach). Conference Proceedings of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists 2018.

 

  1. Osuji E. E., Anyanwu U. G., Tim-Ashama, A., Essien, U. A. (2020). Impact of Climate Change and Soil Management Practices in Nigeria; Implications for Poverty Reduction and Agricultural Productivity. International Conference on Innovative trends and Management (ITEM- August 27-28, 2020).

 

  1. C. C., I. I. Ukoha, Ibeagwa O. B. and U. A. Essien (2017). The Irony of Eating to Satisfaction, A content Review. Contending the Prevalence of Hidden Hunger in low income countries through Agriculture. International Conference on Food Security and Hidden Hunger, 8-11 October.

 

  1. Ibeagwa, O.B., Eze C.C., Ukoha I.I., Osuji, M.N., Essien U.A., Chikezie C., Offor, E.I., Okonkwo, E.K. (2019). Comparative Analysis of Food Security Status of Male and Female Headed Farming Households in Imo State, Nigeria FAMAN 2019.

 

  1. Ibeagwa, O.B. Ehirim, N.C1, Ukoha, I.I., Essien, U.A., Offor, E.I., Uhuegbulem, I.J, Azubogu, C.C.,Nnamerenwa, G.C and Okpara B.O. (2017). Analysis of the Profitability and Viability of the Non-timber Forest Products Marketing in Imo State, Nigeria. NAAE 2017

 

  1. Umoren A. A., Akpan, S. B. and Essien, U. A.(2022)(Risks Mitigation Strategies in Rice Value Chain under Anchor Borrowers Programme in Cross River State, Nigeria. Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economist

 

  1. Sunday B. Akpan, Umoren A. Akpan and Ubon A. Essien(2021) Macro-economic Determinants of Egg Production Trend in Nigeria, 1961-2020. Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the Farm Management Association of Nigeria, 15th-18th November, University of Calabar, Calabar. P348.

 

PUBLISHED PAPERS IN CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

  1. Ibeagwa O. B., Onyebinama, U.A. U., Simonyan, J.B., Chikezie, C. Ukoha I. I. and Essien, U. A. (2015). Analyses of project Infrastructure and income of beneficiaries in the national fadama development project in Imo state, Nigeria. NAAE conference, October, 2015.

 

  1. Ehirim, N.C, Benchendo, G.N, Osuji, E.E., Gbolagun, A.O., Essien, U.A., Rahji, M.A.Y., Kings-Timipre, P., and Iroabuchi, J.N.(2019). Analysis of economic efficiency of egg production in imo state (stochastic frontier approach). Conference Proceedings of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists 2018.

 

  1. Osuji E. E., Anyanwu U. G., Tim-Ashama, A., Essien, U. A. (2020). Impact of Climate Change and Soil Management Practices in Nigeria; Implications for Poverty Reduction and Agricultural Productivity. International Conference on Innovative trends and Management (ITEM- August 27-28, 2020).

 

  1. C. C., I. I. Ukoha, Ibeagwa O. B. and U. A. Essien (2017). The Irony of Eating to Satisfaction, A content Review. Contending the Prevalence of Hidden Hunger in low income countries through Agriculture. International Conference on Food Security and Hidden Hunger, 8-11 October.

 

  1. Ibeagwa, O.B., Eze C.C., Ukoha I.I., Osuji, M.N., Essien U.A., Chikezie C., Offor, E.I., Okonkwo, E.K. (2019). Comparative Analysis of Food Security Status of Male and Female Headed Farming Households in Imo State, Nigeria FAMAN 2019.

 

  1. Ibeagwa, O.B. Ehirim, N.C1, Ukoha, I.I., Essien, U.A., Offor, E.I., Uhuegbulem, I.J, Azubogu, C.C.,Nnamerenwa, G.C and Okpara B.O. (2017). Analysis of the Profitability and Viability of the Non-timber Forest Products Marketing in Imo State, Nigeria. NAAE 2017

 

  1. Umoren A. A., Akpan, S. B. and Essien, U. A.(2022)(Risks Mitigation Strategies in Rice Value Chain under Anchor Borrowers Programme in Cross River State, Nigeria. Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economist

 

  1. Sunday B. Akpan, Umoren A. Akpan and Ubon A. Essien(2021) Macro-economic Determinants of Egg Production Trend in Nigeria, 1961-2020. Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the Farm Management Association of Nigeria, 15th-18th November, University of Calabar, Calabar. P348.

 

 

BOOK CHAPTER CONTRIBUTION

  1. Osuji, E. E., Tim-Ashama, A. C., Ibekwe, C. C., Obi, J. N., Eze, E. U., Essien, U. A. & Njoku, C. L. (2022). Study on Economics of Corruption; Implications for Economic[. Disruptions and Agricultural Inefficiency in Nigeria. New Innovations in Economics, cc Business and Management,( First Edition) BP International, DOI:10.9734/bpi/niebm/v4, India.United Kingdom

 

  1. Osuji E. E. , A. C. Tim-Ashama b, J. N. Obi a, E. U. Eze c, U. A. Essien, J. E. Orji, S. Ibrahim-Olesin, I. C. Chinaka, P. Inyang and U. G. Njoku ( 2022). Phenominal Impacts of Climate Change and Emigration on Agricultural Change in Nigeria. Current Topics in Agricultural Science, Volume 6, BP International, India.United kingdom

 

  1. Essien, U. A. (2023). Agricultural Practices in Akwa Cross. In Unwana S. Akpan(Eds), Akwa Cross People of Nigeria;Historicizing and Factualizing. Lexington Academic books, Maryland, USA…….In Press

 

  1. Emem O. A, Grace Akpakpan, Mercy E, Essien, U. A.(2023). Native Delicacies in AkwaCross. In Unwana S. Akpan(Eds), Akwa Cross People of Nigeria; Historicizing and Factualizing. Lexington Academic Books, Maryland, USA….In Press

Research/Publication Links

Google Scholar: 

Research gate:

Orcid ID: