The Department took-off in 1985 as a sub-unit of what was known as Department of Political Economy within the Faculty of Social Sciences in the then Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH). Following the creation of New Anambra State in 1991 by the Babangida Administration, Awka Campus which housed the Faculty of Social Sciences became an autonomous institution now known as Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. From then, Economics Unit became an autonomous Department. The first set of students graduated in 1989. Since then, it has been turning out graduates every session except for 1994/95 session as a result of the nation-wide strike by the Nigerian Universities.
PAST HODS OF ECONOMICS DEPT
1. LEVI C. EZEAKU 1991-1995
2. AFORKA C. IBE 1995-1997
3. PROF. A.W. OBI 1997-1998
4. DR.A.C. EVIUCHE 1998-2000
5. PROF.A.W. OBI 2000-2002
6. ANENE NNOLI 2002-2003
7. LEVI C. EZEAKU 2003-2005
8. PROF.A.W. OBI 2005-2006
9. DR. N.C. OKEKE 2006
10. LEVI C. EZEAKU 2006-2007
11. DR.A.C. EVIUCHE 2007-2009
12. DR. N.C. OKEKE 2009-2011
13. PROF.A.C. EVIUCHE 2011-2012
14. DR.U.C.C. NWOGWUGWU 2012-2014
15. DR. KENNETH OBI 2014-2017
16. DR. UJU EZENEKWE 2017-2019
17. DR. EBELE NWOKOVE 2019-2022
18. DR. C.U. KALU 2022-PRESENT