Dr Ugwu joined University of Benin in August 1989 as Lecturer 2 and rose through the rank to her promotion to Associate Professor in 2010. She has at both the full time and part time undergraduate programmes as well as MA courses. She has supervised BA projects and 12 MA, MPhil and PhD students. She was head of Department at Wellspring University in Benin City in 2010. She has acted as head of Department at University of Benin and worked in many Faculty and University committees and boards. She is an Assistant Editor of the Romanus  Egudu Journal of English Studies – a publication of the Department of English and Literature ; and Business Manager, Nigerian Journal of the Humanities since2003. She has been a Special Marshall, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), University of Benin Special Marshall Unit since 1993. She is a Lady of Knights of St John International and holds Executive Committee positions at state and national levels.
She is a member of many learned societies: Nigeria English Studies Association (where she was Treasurer in 2004); Semiotic Association of Nigeria; University Women Association of Nigeria; National Association of Women Academics; and so on. She is a recipient of many national and international merit awards.