Dr Abigail Uchenna Emelonye

Abigail Uchenna Emelonye is a Course Leader for the Pre-Registration Adult Nursing Course at the Croydon Campus of London South Bank University (LSBU). She joined LSBU as a Senior Lecturer in 2023.

A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Abigail brings over 21 years of combined clinical, academic and research experience across a range of healthcare institutions and universities, including Bournemouth University United Kingdom, University of Eastern Finland, Aga Khan University Uganda, Maryam Abacha American University Niger and National Open University of Nigeria.  Her diverse background enriches her teaching and contributes to a globally informed approach to nursing education.

In addition to delivering teaching in adult nursing, Abigail plays a key leadership role in coordinating students learning outcomes. Working collaboratively with colleagues, she is committed to ensuring a high-quality, engaging and supportive educational experience that prepares students for professional nursing practice.

Abigail is a Registered Nurse in three jurisdictions and holds a PhD in Health Sciences (Nursing Science) from the University of Eastern Finland, an MSc in Pain Management from the University of Leicester and a BSc in Education from the University of Port Harcourt Nigeria.

Abigail Uchenna Emelonye’s research interest is situated at the intersection of women’s health, health systems strengthening and inclusive healthcare access, with particular emphasis on ethnic minority women. Her research explores how structural and social inequalities shape health outcomes and seeks to develop equitable and culturally responsive interventions. Her broader research agenda advances reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) systems, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Her work also addresses nursing education, focusing on improving student learning experiences through innovative support systems.

As a Senior Health Expert, she consulted for UNICEF and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on the implementation of the National Emergency Maternal and Child Health Intervention Centre (NEMCHIC) contributing to efforts to reduce preventable maternal and child mortality in Nigeria. She is currently investigating innovative approaches to strengthening learning support systems for nursing students, particularly those from and studying within LMICs through the application of structured personal tutoring models.

Her research and professional development have been supported by several competitive grants, including Southwest ICA Post-Doctoral Bridging Award, NIHR (Patient and Public Involvement CPD on Black Women’s Voices in Healthcare (BWViH) (2023); Kuopio University Foundation Grant for Research (2016); University of Eastern Finland & Amp Saastamoinen Foundation Grant (2014); 24/7 Technologies Doctoral Study Grant (Research in Maternal and Child Healthcare in Developing Countries) (2013-2017)

She has authored over 16 peer-reviewed publications and serves as a peer reviewer for several leading journals, including Journal of Applied Nursing Science; SM Journal of Nursing, Perinatology & Pediatrics; International Journal of Africa Nursing Science; European Journal of Midwifery; PLOS ONE; and Journal of Clinical Nursing.

In the field of nursing education and evidence-based practices in the delivery of care, she has successfully supervised four PhD candidates to completion, with two additional doctoral projects currently in progress. In the 2024 LSBU Education Awards, Abigail was nominated for Postgraduate Dissertation Supervisor of the Year.

 She welcomes enquiries from prospective doctoral researchers whose interests align with her areas of expertise, as well as opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration.

Academic Supervision

6 Doctoral Students ,10 MSc Students & 15 BSc Students 

Doctorate supervision

Henry Hamuel - Knowledge and Application of The Nursing Process for Comprehensive Client Care among Nurses in Northeast, Nigeria

Rabi Sani Jikan Malam - Nursing Adaptation to Digital Technology: The Impact and Future of Computer-Based Testing (Cbt) in Nigeria

Completed Doctorate 

Maijiddah Saidu Aminu - Evaluation of Vital Signs Monitoring Practices  During COVID-19 Pandemic Among Nurses and Midwives in Public Secondary Health Facilities in North-Western Nigeria

Hadiza Yahaya - Factors Influencing Job Satisfaction Among Nurses Working In Government Hospitals In Maiduguri, Borno State. Nigeria

Mala Alh. Baba Mallam - Assessment of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors Influencing Teacher’s Motivation in Colleges of Nursing Sciences in Northeastern Nigeria

Silifat Oyewusi - Determinants of Reproductive Health Care Services Among Secondary Schools Students in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Publications List 

Mimi Anthony, Sonia Kirby, Abigail U Emelonye. Are there any psychological and physical impacts of 12-hour shifts on nurses with over three years of experience? British Journal of Nursing (BJM) 2026 (Awaiting publication)

Yahaya, H., Sabo, A. and Emeloye, A.U., 2023. Assessment of the Intrinsic determinants of Nurses' Job Satisfaction in Borno State, Nigeria. Health Science Journal, 17(2), pp. 1-9

Mallam MAB, Sabo A, Emelonye AU 2022. Assessment of the Level of Performance and Impact of Motivation on Teachers at Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery in Borno and Yobe States, Nigeria. Int Arch Nurs Health Care 8:178. doi.org/10.23937/2469-5823/1510178

Oyewusi S, Sabo A, Emeloye AU (2022) Assessment of the Awareness Levels on Sexual Transmission Diseases among Secondary School Students in Northern Nigeria. J Comm Pub Health Nursing, 8: 368. DOI: 10.4172/2471-9846.1000368

Emeribe AU, Abdullahi IN, Isong IK, Emeribe AO, Nwofe JO, Shuaib BI, Gwarzo AM, Usman Y, Sadi M, Umeozuru CM, Dangana A, Egenti BN, Mallam MA, Emelonye AU, Aminu MS, Yahaya H, Oyewusi S. Dengue Virus is Hyperendemic in Nigeria from 2009 to 2020: A Contemporary Systematic Review. Infect Chemother. 2021 Jun;53

Helen Kezie-Nwoha and Abigail Uchenna Emelonye. (2021). Health Systems Strengthening in Post Conflict Reconstruction: Reflections on Uganda. Int J Women’s Health Care, 6(2): 151-160

Emelonye, U., Emelonye, A. and Emelonye, U. P., 2019. Preventing Maternal Mortality in Nigeria: A Human Rights Imperative. US-China Law Review, 16 (4), 166-178.US-China Law Review, April 2019, Vol.16, No. 4, 166-178 doi:10.17265/1548-6605/2019.04.004 http://www.davidpublisher.org/Public/uploads/Contribute/5d51002f2d97e.pdf

Aliga C.A, Mutyabule J, Nakate J & Emelonye A.U, Examining Nursing Practices for Management of Sepsis in Low Income Countries: The Case of Uganda. (The World of Critical Care Nursing, 12(1),1-4. https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_fhs_sonam/183  

Emelonye A.U, Spousal Presence in Childbirth Pain Relief (2017), PhD Dissertation, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland. http://epublications.uef.fi/pub/urn_isbn_978-952-61-2513-8/index_en.html

Emelonye A.U., Pitkäaho T., Aregbesola A., Vehviläinen-Julkunen K. (2017) Barriers to spousal contribution to childbirth pain relief in Nigeria. International Nursing Review64, 568–575 https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12330

Emelonye AU, Vehviläinen-Julkunen K, Pitkäaho T, Aregbesola A. Midwives perceptions of partner presence in childbirth pain alleviation in Nigeria hospitals. Midwifery. 2017 May;48:39-45. DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2017.03.004. PMID: 28324808.

Emelonye, A. U., Pitkäaho, T., Aregbesola, A., & Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K. (2017). Women's perceptions of spousal relevance in childbirth pain relief in four Nigerian hospitals. Sexual & reproductive healthcare : official journal of the Swedish Association of Midwives, 12, 128–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2017.04.004

Emelonye, A., Pitkäaho, T, ... Vehviläinen- Julkunen, KU., 2016. Revisiting Nursing Research in Nigeria. International Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research 5, 78–85. doi:10.14194/ijmbr.5.2.5

Emelonye, A. U., Pitkäaho, T., Aregbesola, A., & Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K. (2016). Spouses' Perspective of their Participation and Role in Childbirth Pain Relief. Annals of medical and health sciences research, 6(6), 367–374. https://doi.org/10.4103/amhsr.amhsr_12_16

Emelonye, A. U., Pitkäaho, T., & Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K. (2015). Spousal Presence as a Nonpharmacological Pain Management during Childbirth: A Pilot Study. Nursing research and practice, 2015, 932763. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/932763

Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K., & Emelonye, A. (2014). Spousal participation in labor and delivery in nigeriaa. Annals of medical and health sciences research, 4(4), 511–515. https://doi.org/10.4103/2141-9248.1392

Emelonye, A. U. An Audit of Current Nursing Practices of Acute Pain Management in Rural Health Care Facilities in Nigeria. (MSc Thesis, University of Leicester, United Kingdom 2012)

Emelonye, A. U. The Impact of Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) in Children 0-5years: A Case Study of Owerri West LGA, Imo State Nigeria. (Nursing Diploma Thesis. School of Nursing, Owerri, Nigeria 2005)

•  Introducing Evidence Based Practice 
• Providing Care in Adult Nursing
• Appraising Evidence Based Practice
• Implementing Best Practice
• Complex and Critical Care Nursing
• Promoting Health and Preventing Ill Health
• Research for Professional Practice
•  Dissertation Supervision

•      Course Leader - Adult Nursing (Croydon Campus)
•      Personal Tutor - Undergraduate and Graduate students
•      Link Lecturer - Imperial College Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
•      Module Leader - Introducing Evidence Based Practice (2023-2025)
•      Co-Module Leader - Preparation for Practice (2024)
•      Academic Assessor  (NMC 2018)
•      Member - LSBU Health and Social Care Ethics Committee