Ugochukwu Chinonso Okolie holds PhD, Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria and the UK Global Talent, endorsed by the British Academy. He is an academic actively engaged in international research collaboration, university teaching, doctoral supervision, editorial leadership, and public scholarship, with a strong focus on advancing knowledge at the intersection of student entrepreneurship, graduate employability, and career development among higher education students in emerging economies and global comparative contexts.
Research Impacts
Dr. Okolie introduced Conditional Student Entrepreneurship (CSE) into the entrepreneurship literature and developed the Model of CSE for Financial Stability, which explains how students from low-income backgrounds engage in entrepreneurship as a context-dependent strategy to manage financial precarity while pursuing education. His research bridges entrepreneurship theory, career development frameworks, and higher education policy, offering empirically grounded insights that are both theoretically novel and policy relevant. His recent studies examine how students and graduates navigate structural constraints, institutional arrangements, and personal agency in shaping career and entrepreneurial outcomes, particularly during the school-to-work transition.
Dr. Okolie has published in leading entrepreneurship, career development and higher education journals, including Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice (ABS 4* and FT50), Journal of Vocational Behavior (ABS 4), Journal of Career Assessment (ABS 2), Career Development International (ABS 2), Journal of Career Development (ABS 1), Industry and Higher Education (ABS 1), Education + Training (ABS 1), Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning (ABS 1), The International Journal of Management Education (ABS 1) and Higher Education Research and Development, among others. His research has attracted strong international citations and is frequently used to inform debates on career development, graduate employability, work placement learning, and entrepreneurship education. His citation records on Google Scholar and Scopus demonstrate the international reach, scholarly influence, and impact of his research.
Academic Leadership Roles
Dr Okolie currently serves as Regional Editor (Southeast Asia) for Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning (Emerald) and as an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Career Assessment (SAGE), where he contributes to shaping editorial direction, maintaining rigorous peer-review standards, and advancing high-quality scholarship in career development, graduate employability, entrepreneurship education and higher education research. He is an active peer reviewer, having reviewed over 150 manuscripts for more than 45 international journals, a contribution formally verified by Web of Science. This reflects his standing within the global academic community and sustained commitment to research quality, integrity, and scholarly development.
University Teaching and Supervision Roles
In addition to his editorial work, Dr Okolie has held a range of academic and leadership positions across various national contexts. He currently serves as an Adjunct Doctoral Supervisor at Exceed College (United Arab Emirates) and Universidad Católica de Murcia (Spain), where he supervises doctoral research in management education and applied research. He was a Research Fellow and Principal Investigator at Leipzig University, Germany, where his research focused on the links between student entrepreneurship and graduate employability in emerging economies.
Dr Okolie has also served as a Lecturer and Acting Head of the Department of Vocational and Technical Education at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Nigeria, where he taught business and technology education courses and contributed to academic leadership and programme coordination. In addition, he served as an Online Adjunct Instructor with the University of the People (USA), where he taught online educational strategies in a global online learning environment.
Academic Capacity Building
Beyond research and teaching, Dr. Okolie is deeply committed to academic capacity building. He runs a dedicated YouTube channel where he has provided over 170 free quantitative and qualitative data analysis tutorials for graduate students and early-career researchers. The channel has accumulated over one million views and more than 11,700 subscribers, reflecting its global reach and practical impact.
Dr. Okolie’s research has been supported by competitive research funding, including DAAD and institutionally funded projects. He has collaborated with senior academics across universities in the UK, Europe and Africa. In recognition of his research productivity and impact, he received the Most Productive Researcher Award from Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Nigeria.
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Journal Publications
Okolie, U. C. (2025). A longitudinal study of conditional student entrepreneurship in an emerging economy. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice. Published by SAGE | Ranked by ABDC Ranking A*, ABS Ranking 4*, FT 50.
Okorie, C. O., Okolie, U. C., Awotoye, Y. F., & Mezieobi, K. C.. (2025). Exploring the impact of family financial support withdrawal on graduates’ school-to-work transition. Career Development International, 1-21 | Published by Emerald Insights | Ranked by ABS 2*, Scopus O1.
Nwosu, H. E., Okolie, U. C., Awotoye, Y. F., Ejime, E. O., Ehiobuche, C., & Inyene Nkanta. (2025). Exploring the role of university entrepreneurial ecosystem in shaping conditional student entrepreneurship. Industry and Higher Education, 1-21 | Published by SAGE | Ranked by ABS 1*, Scopus Q1
Ukeje, N., Gutierrez, J. A., Petrova, K., & Okolie, U. C. (2025). An Exploratory Factor Analysis Approach on Challenging Factors for Government Cloud Service Adoption Intention. Future Internet, 17(8), 326.
Ogba, F. N., Okolie, U. C., Igu, N. C., Oluka, B. N., Binuomote, M. O., & Awe, B. A.(2025). Basic Psychological Needs and Student Engagement in Work Placement Learning Tasks: A Moderated Mediation Model. SAGE Open | Ranked and Indexed by Scopus Q1
Ogbaekirigwe, C. O., Uba, I. M., Azubuike, A. S., Igwe, U. A. & Okolie, U. C. (2025). Understanding the motivational predictors of students’ persistence in work placement learning tasks. Education + Training. Published by Emerald | Ranked and Indexed by (ABS Ranking 1, Web of Science, Scopus Q1
Elom, C. O, Okolie, U. C., Uwaleke, C. C., Umoke, C. C., Abonyi, S. O., & Nwele, A. O. (2024). The effect of openness to experience on students’ readiness for school-to-work Transition. Journal of Career Assessment. | Published by SAGE | Ranked by ABS 2*, Scopus, Q1.
Okolie, UC., Lubbungu, J., Osuji, C. U., Idike, I. M., Ugwuda, S. O., Ehiobuche, C. & Sieme, P. (2023). Career-related teacher support and decision to choose teaching as a career: a three-wave study of Nigerian and Zambian university students. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance | Published by Springer. | Ranked by Scopus, ABS 1*
Elom, C. O., Okolie, U. C., Abonyi, S. O., Eke, D. O., & Umoke, C. C. (2023). Students’ satisfaction with their academic majors and study commitment: The mediating role of academic psychological capital. Psychology in the Schools | Published by Wiley | Ranked by Scopus, Q1
Uwakwe, R. C., Okolie, U. C., Ehiobuche, C., Ochunanwata, C., & Idike, I. M. (2023). A Multi-Group Study of Psychological Capital and Job Search Behaviours among University Graduates With and Without Work Placement Learning Experience. Journal of Career Assessment. | Published by SAGE | Ranked by ABS 2*, Scopus Q1
Okolie, U. C., Mlanga, S., Nwosu, H. E., Mezieobi, K. C., Okorie, C. & Abonyi, O. S. (2023). Work Placement Supervisor Support and Students’ Proactive Career Behaviours: The Moderating Role of Proactivity. Journal of Career Development, 50(1), 168–184 | Published by SAGE | Ranked by ABS 1*, Scopus, Q1
Okorie, C., Nwankwo, F., Iwuala, H. & Okolie, U. C., (2023). Understanding Contextual and Personality-Related Factors Predicting Student Career Certainty in Work Placement Learning. Journal of Career Assessment, 31(1), 68-84 | Published by SAGE | Ranked by ABS 2*, Scopus, Q1.
Okolie, U. C. (2022). Work Placement Learning and Students’ Readiness for School-to-Work Transition: Do Perceived Employability and Faculty Supervisor Support Matter? Journal of Vocational Behavior | Published by Elsevier | Ranked by ABS 4, Scopus Q1, ABDC A*
Okolie, U. C., Igwe, P. A. & Madichie, N. (2022). Special issue: Work placement learning – exploring self-employment and paid employment behaviour in higher education. Industry and Higher Education, 36(6), 689-692 | Published by SAGE | Ranked by ABS 1*
Okolie, U. C., Mlanga, S., Oyerinde, D. O., Olaniyi, N. O., & Ezemoyih, C. M. (2022). Collaborative Learning and Student Engagement in Practical Skills Acquisition, Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 59(6), 669-678 | Published byTaylor and Francis (Routledge)| Ranked by Scopus, Q1 ABS 2*
Okolie, U. C., Nwali, A. C., Ogbaekirigwe, C. O., Ezemoyi, C. M, & Achilike, B. A. (2022). A closer look at how work placement learning influences student engagement in practical skills acquisition.Higher Education Research & Development, 41(7), 2278-2291 | Published by Taylor and Francis (Routledge) | Ranked by Scopus, Q1
Okolie, U.C., Elom, C.O., Onajite, G. O., Abonyi, S. O. & Igwe, P. A. (2022). Exploring the link between student placement learning in business organizations and self-employment preparatory behaviours. Industry and Higher Education, 36(6), 693–704. Published by SAGE | Ranked by ABS 1*
Ogba, F. N., Okolie, U. C., Udu, D. A. & Idike, I. M. (2022). How do work placement learning instructional methods enhance students’ learning experiences?, Industry and Higher Education, 36(6), 705–715. | Published by SAGE | Ranked by ABS 1*
Okolie, U. C., Igwe, P. A., Mong, I. K., Nwosu, H. E., Kanu, C., & Ojemuyide, C. C. (2022). Enhancing students’ critical thinking skills through engagement with innovative pedagogical practices in the Global South. Higher Education Research & Development, 41(4), 1184-1198. | Published byTaylor and Francis (Routledge)| Ranked by Scopus Q1
Nwosu, H.E, Obidike, P. C., Ugwu, J. N., Udeze, C. C & Okolie, U. C. (2022). Applying Social Cognitive Theory to Placement Learning in Business Firms and Students’ Entrepreneurial Intention. The International Journal of Management Education. Published by Elsevier | Ranked by ABS 1*, Scopus Q1
Ehiobuche, C., Okolie, U. C., Nwali, A. C., & Igwe, P. (2022). Is there a link between industry involvement in higher education learning and student job creation intention? Industry and Higher Education, 36(2), 177-189. Published by SAGE | Ranked by ABS 1*
Okolie, U. C., Oluka, B. N., Oluwayemisi, F. B., Achilike, B. A. & Ezemoyih, C. M. (2022). Overcoming obstacles to collaborative learning practices: a study of student learning in higher education-based vocational education and training. International Journal of Training Research, 20(1), 73–91. Published by Taylor and Francis (Routledge) | Ranked by Scopus Q2
Otache, I., Edokpolor, J. E., & Okolie, U. C. (2021). Entrepreneurial self-confidence, perceived desirability and feasibility of hospitality business and entrepreneurial intentions of hospitality management technology students. The International Journal of Management Education. Published by Elsevier | Ranked by ABS 1* and Scopus Q1
Okolie, U. C., Ogwu, E. N., Osuji, C. U., Ogba, F., Igwe, P., & Obih, S. O. (2021). A critical perspective on TVET teachers’ pedagogical practices: Insights into the guiding pedagogical principles in practice. Journal of Vocational Education & Training |Published by Taylor and Francis (Routledge)| Ranked by Scopus Q1 and ABS 1*
Okolie, U. C., Ehiobuche, C., Igwe, P. A., Agha-Okoro, M., & Onwe C. C. (2021). Women entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation: Understanding the economic and socio-cultural context of the Igbo women’s basket weaving enterprise in Nigeria. Journal of African Business, 22(4), 448-467. Published byTaylor and Francis (Routledge)| Ranked by ABS 1* and Scopus Q1
Okolie, U. C., Igwe, P. A., Ayoola, A. A., Nwosu, H. E., Kanu, C. & Mong, I. K. (2021). Entrepreneurial competencies of undergraduate students: The case of universities in Nigeria. The International Journal of Management Education, 19(1), 100452. Published by Elsevier | Ranked by ABS 1*, Scopus Q1
Okolie, U.C., Ochinanwata, C., Ochinanwata, N., Igwe, P. A., & Okorie, G. O. (2021). Perceived supervisor support and learner career curiosity: The mediating effect of sense of belonging, engagement and self-efficacy. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 11(5), 966-982. Published by Emerald Insights | Ranked by ABS 1* and Scopus Q2
Okolie, U. C., Nwajiuba, C. A., Eneje B., Binuomote, M. O., Ehiobuche, C. & Hack-Polay, D. (2021). A critical perspective on industry involvement in higher education learning: Enhancing graduates’ knowledge and skills for job creation in Nigeria. Industry and Higher Education, 35(1), 61-72. Published by SAGE | Ranked by ABS 1*
Okolie, U. C, Elom, E. N.; Igwe, P. A., Binuomote, M. O., Nwajiuba, C. A., & Igu, N. (2021). Improving graduate outcomes: Implementation of problem-based learning in the TVET system of Nigerian higher education. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 11(1), 92-110. Published by Emerald Insights | Ranked by ABS 1*
Igwe, P. A., Okolie, U. C., & Nwokoro, C. V. (2021). Towards a responsible entrepreneurship education and the future of the workforce. The International Journal of Management Education, 19(1), 1-11| Published by Elsevier | Ranked by ABS 1* and Scopus Q1
Okolie, U.C., Elom, E. N., Igwe, P. A., Nwajiuba, C. A., Binuomote, M. O., & Igu, N. (2020). How TVET teachers foster employability skills: Insights from developing countries. International Journal of Training Research, 18(3), 231-249. Published by Taylor and Francis (Routledge) | Ranked by Scopus Q2
Okolie, U. C., Igwe, P. A., Nwajiuba, C. A., Mlanga, S., Binuomote, M., Nwosu, H., & Ogbaekirigwe, O. C. (2020). Does PhD qualification improve pedagogical competence? A study on teaching and training in higher education. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 12(5),1233-1250. Published by Emerald Insights | Ranked by Scopus Q2
Okolie, U. C., Nwajiuba, C.A., Binuomote, M. O., Osuji, C. U., Onajite, G. O., and Igwe, P.A. (2020). How Careers Advice and Guidance can Facilitate Career Development in TVET Graduates: The case in Nigeria. | Journal Name: Australian Journal of Career Development, 29(2), 97-106. Published by SAGE. | Ranked by Scopus and ABDC C
Okolie, U. C., Nwajiuba, C. A., Binuomote, M. O., Ehiobuche, C., Igu, N., Ajoke, O. (2020). Career training with mentoring programs in higher education: Facilitating career development and employability of graduates. Education + Training, 62(3), 214-234. Published by Emerald Insights | Ranked by Web of Science, Scopus Q1 and ABS 1*
Okolie, U. C., Igwe, P. A., Nwosu, H. E., Eneje, B., & Mlanga, S. (2020). Enhancing graduate employability: Why do higher education institutions have problems with teaching generic skills? Policy Futures in Education, 18(2), 294-313. Published by SAGE | Ranked by Scopus 2
Hack-polay, D., Igwe, P. A., & Okolie, U. C. (2020). Room for improvement – A study of overconfidence in numerical skills among British graduates. Industry and Higher Education, 34(1), 50-61. Published by SAGE. | Ranked by ABS 1* and Scopus
Okolie, U. C., Nwosu, H. E., & Mlanga, S. (2019). Graduate employability: How the higher education institutions can meet the demand of the labour market. Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning, 9(4), 620-636. Published by Emerald Insights | Ranked by ABS 1* and Scopus Q1
Okolie, U. C., Nwosu, H. E., Eneje, B. C., & Oluka, B. N. (2019). Reclaiming education: Rising above examination malpractices, and its contextual factors on study progress in Nigeria. International Journal of Educational Development, 65, 44–56. Published by Elsevier | Ranked by Scopus Q1
Okolie, U. C., Igwe, P. A., & Elom, E. N. (2019). Improving graduate outcomes for technical colleges in Nigeria. | Journal Name: Australian Journal of Career Development, 28(1), 21-30. Published by SAGE. | Ranked by Scopus Q1 and ABDC C
Okolie, U. C., Elom, E. N., Osuji, C. U., & Igwe, P. A. (2019). Improvement needs of Nigerian technical college teachers in teaching vocational and technical subjects. International Journal of Training Research, 17(1), 21-34. Published by Taylor and Francis (Routledge) | Ranked by Scopus Q2
Edited Books
Okolie, U. C. (2020). Socio-Economic Perspectives on Vocational Skill Development: Emerging Research and Opportunities. USA. IGI-Global | Hershey, Pennsylvania. USA. | ISBN13: 9781522541455 | ISBN10: 1522541454 | EISBN13: 9781522541462.
Okolie, U. C. & Asfa, M. Y. (2017). Technical education and vocational training in developing nations. Hershey, Pennsylvania. USA. IGI-Global. | Copyright: © 2017 | ISBN13: 9781522518112 | ISBN10: 1522518118 |EISBN13: 9781522518129|DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-1811-2: | Indexed in Scopus
Book Chapters
Okolie, U. C. & Asfa, M. Y. (2017). TVET in developing nations and human development. in Okolie, U. C. and Asfa, M. Y. (e.d). Technical education and vocational training in developing nations. Published in USA by IGI-Global. | Indexed in Scopus and Google Books
Ogbaekirigwe, C. O., & Okolie, U. C. (2017). Relevance of Entrepreneurship in TVET in Okolie, U. C. and Asfa, M. Y. (e.d). Technical education and vocational training in developing nations. Published in USA by IGI-Global. | Indexed in Scopus and Google Books
Okolie, U. C. (2016). Vocational education training in the informal sector for effective regional integration: Lessons from Southeast Nigeria. In Asfa, Y. M and Shivagunde, R. B. (ed). Emerging trends in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Published in Delhi by Lenin Media and PSS Central Vocational Institution of Vocational Education, Bhopal, India.