Associate Professor
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Dr. Ukata is an Assistant Professor of English Language and Literature and chair of the department. She holds a doctorate degree in African Literature from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Earlier, she obtained a BA degree in English Education (Second Class Upper Division), and a Master’s degree in English and Literary Studies from the University of Calabar, in Nigeria.
Her interest in the politics of gender in literary and other artistic renditions influenced her passion for the representation of women in the burgeoning Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) and in her Ph.D. research. She is a recipient of the prestigious Wits’ “Post-graduate Merit Award,” “Harrold and Doris Tothill Award,” and “Conock Award.”
Before joining AUN, Dr. Ukata taught courses at the School of Literature and Language Studies, Media Studies and Journalism, of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
She is the author of the book Images of Women in Nigerian (Nollywood Videos), Berlin, Germany: Galda Verlag Press, 2015, which has received many academic accolades. She has as well published in reputable journals and edited books. She has contributed to scholarship as her works have received numerous citations in reputable journals and scholarly works. She has presented papers in international and local conferences including Carla International Conference Sweden, 21-23 August 2020, African Literature Association International Conference (ALA). Yale University, USA, 14- 17 June 2017, and Professor Wole Soyinka’s International Conference. University of Lagos, Nigeria, 7th to 12th July 2014.
Gender politics
African Literature
Nollywood
Postcolonial Literature and theories.
Freshman Composition 1& 2 (Writing 101 &102).
Introduction to the Study of Literature (ENG101).
Introduction to African Literation (ENG 221).
Literature and Film (ENG 316).
Modern Drama (ENG 310).
Preparation of Written and Oral Reports (WRI 321).
Senior Research Project in Language and Literature (ENG 490).
Introduction to Nigerian Literature (ENG 102).
Introduction to the Study of Literature (ENG101).
Introduction to African Literation (ENG 221).
Literature and Film (ENG 316).
Modern Drama (ENG 310).
Preparation of Written and Oral Reports (WRI 321).
Senior Research Project in Language and Literature (ENG 490).
Introduction to Nigerian Literature (ENG 102).
Researched Works:
Difficult Areas in the Teaching and Learning of English Language in selected Schools in Calabar Municipality. (BA. Thesis, University of Calabar) 1998.
Irony and Dramatic Pattern in Tewfik Al-Hakim’s The Tree Climber, Fate of a Cockroach, and The Sultan’s Dilemma. (MA Thesis, University of Calabar) 2004.
Images of Women in Nigerian Videos. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. 2010.
Conference Papers:
“Nollywood and its Roots: Taking a Deep Breath with Nigerian Video films.” Conference paper presented at University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2007.
“Gender and the Evangelical Myth of Salvation in Nigerian Video Film: A Critique of I Was Wrong.” Conference Paper presented at the Nineteenth International Conference on African Literature and The English Language (ICALEL). University of Calabar, Nigeria, 2008.
“Representing Women in Nollywood: What is in an Image.” Conference paper presented at University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, 2008.
“Representing Women and their Interventions on the Political Scene in Nollywood: A Challenge to Film Producers in the 21st” Conference paper presented at the Second Ife Film Festival. Ile-Ife, Nigeria 26th to 30th of January 2009.
“Beyond Transition – Towards Actualization of Democratic Values in African film.” Paper presented at the Conference on Political Culture, Governance and the State in Africa. Nairobi, Kenya from the 23rd to 24th February, 2009.
“Testing the Boundaries of the Domestic Space: Typification of Women in Omata Women” Paper presented, at the First Es’kia Mphahlele Postgraduate international Colloquium and Arts Forum. Johannesburg, South Africa. From the 4th to 6th September, 2009.
“Breaking the Ice of National Ties Beyond the Boundaries of the Postcolonial Cities through Film: Nollywood Videos Speak.” Paper presented at the Conference on Postcolonial Actualities: Past and Present.” University of Texas at Austin U S A. From the 16 to 17 October, 2009.
“The visual embraces Oral Traditions: A Conversation with Nollywood Videos.” Paper presented at the 8th Conference of the International Society for the Oral Literatures of Africa (ISOLA). Mombasa, Kenya from the 15th to 20th July, 2010.
“Traditions and the Visual: What’s there to Gain as Nollywood Knocks on the Doors of Oral Traditions?” paper presented at the 3rd Annual Africana Studies Interdisciplinary Conference” James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia USA. From the 20th to 21st October, 2011.
“Invoking the Past, Anticipating the Future: Re-reading of Soyinka's Kongi's Harvest”
Professor Wole Soyinka’s International Conference. University of Lagos, Nigeria, 7th to
12th July 2014.
Presented my Book The Images of Women in Nigerian (Nollywood) Videos to the University (AUN) 18th February, 2016.
The Awakening of the Prophet: Forgotten Hope in Ngugi Wa Thing’o A Grain of Wheat. Co presented (Dr Brian Reed) seminar paper for College Language Association (CLA) Conference in Huston Texas, USA, April 6th to 11th
“Being and Not Being: How Society Negotiates Humanity a Report of BOY, SNOW,
BIRD and PASSING.” Co presented (Dr Brian Reed, Dr Agatha Ada Ukata, and Dr Jonas Akung). African Literature Association International Conference (ALA). Yale University, USA, 14- 17 June, 2017.
“Re-deepening new Diasporic Identity in Isidore Okpewho’s Call Me by My Rightful Name.”Co presented ( Dr Agatha Ada Ukata, Dr Jonas Akung and Dr Brian Reed). African Literature Association International Conference (ALA). Yale University, USA, 14- 17 June, 2017.
“Women and Representations in Nollywood: Questions of Production and Direction.” Carla International Conference Sweden, 21-23 August, 2020.
Publications:
Book
Images of Women in Nigerian (Nollywood Videos). Berlin, Germany: Galda Verlag Press, 2015.
Chapters in Books
“Romance with Ancient Culture: Archival Repertoires in Post – Colonial African Films.” Africa Through the Eye of the Video Camera. Ed. Foluke Ogunleye. Swaziland: Academic Publishers, 2008. 174-186.
“Nollywood Whispers as a Beacon of Hope for Youths.” African Youth in Contemporary Literature and Popular Culture: Identity Ques Eds. Yenika-Agbaw, Vivian and Lindah Mhando. Routledge, 2014.
“Representing Women and their Interventions on the Political Scene in Nollywood: A Challenge to Film Producers in the 21st” African Film: Looking Back and Looking Forward. Ed. Foluke Ogunleye. Cambridge Publishers, 2014.
“Women and Representations in Nollywood: Questions of Production and Direction.” Women in the International Film Industry: Policy, Practice and Power. Ed. Susan Liddy. Palgrave Publishers, 2020.
Articles Published in Peer-Reviewed Journals
“Conflicting Framings of Women in Nollywood Videos.” Journal of African Nebula. 1. February 2010, 65-75.
“Antony Anghie. Imperialism, Sovereignty and the Making of International Law (2005).” Book Review E3W Review University of Texas at Austin Journal of English, Literature and Comparative Literature. March, 2010.
“Breaking the Ice of National Ties beyond the Boundaries of the Post-colonial Cities through Films: Nollywood Videos in Context.” Gege-Ogun Studies in English Journal8 of (2011):139-157.
“Evoking the Past, Anticipating the Future: Re-reading Soyinka’s Kongi’s Harvest.” Co published (Agatha Ada Ukata and Senayon Olaoluwa) Journal of Intra-African Studies. 9. 2017: 141- 158.
“Re-deepening new Diasporic Identity in Isidore Okpewho’s Call Me by My Rightful Name.”Co-authored ( Agatha Ada Ukata, Jonas Akung and Brian Reed). Journal of African Literature Association. (Forthcoming Publication).
Beyond transition – towards actualization of democratic values in African film.” Black Camera Journal (Forthcoming publication).
“Governance and the Political Scene in Africa, A Tale of Woe: Nollywood sets the stage for Interrogation.” JAC Special Issue. (Forthcoming publication).
“Nollywood and its Roots: Taking a Deep Breath with Nigerian Video films.” Journal of African Arts (Forthcoming publication).
“Adiechie, Charting Histories and emblemizing the Postcolonial Africa.” Journal of African Cinemas (Forthcoming Publication).
“How popular is popular: Take a look at Nollywood.” Early Popular Visual Culture (Book chapter. Forthcoming publication)
“Nollywood and the Pangs of Widowhood in Africa.” Canadian Journal of Film Studies (Forthcoming Publication).
“The Construction of Rape and Culture of silence in Nollywood films.” Co-authored (Vivian Charles Nweke). Cinema Journal (Forthcoming Publication).
“Paradigm Shift: A Switch in the Narratives of Women in Nigerian Literature (2000-2006).” Co-authored (Ruth Victor Bala). Historical Journal of Film, Radio, and Television (Forthcoming Publication).
“An analysis of the representation of African Folklore/Mythology in film and Animation production (2010-2012) and (2016-2018)” Co-authored (Nduka Nwagbo). Animation Journal (Forthcoming Publication).
Creative Works
Poem: “Nothing Too Little To Offer” In Press for Nigerian Anthology of Poets.
Drama: Inside Life. Spectrum Books (Forth Coming).
Drama: Inside Life. Spectrum Books (Forth Coming).
Drama: Oil Money. Spectrum Books (Forth Coming).
Drama: Who Will be the Next Governor. Spectrum Books (Forth Coming).
Member, Society of Oral Literature (ISOLA)
Member, African Literature Association (ALA).