With the establishment of Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH) in 1980, the government of the then Anambra State established the institution on a multi-campus basis. The campuses of the institution were located at Awka, Abakaliki and Enugu, with Enugu campus as its main campus.
In 1984 the Vice Chancellor Prof. C Onwumechili called upon Dr. Mrs. Flora Ntunde who was then of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu to draw up a comprehensive programme to be used in the establishment of the Faculty of Social Sciences following the merger ASUTECH and IMT. This merger of the two institutions became a reality in 1985 but was short lived when IMT regained its autonomy through a legal battle.
In 1987, the Faculty of Social Sciences with departments of Sociology and Anthropology as one of the four major department was formally established and became located at Awka campus (now Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka). Sociology Department started with only two lecturers; Dr. Mrs. Ntunde and Mr. Ohachendu.
With the creation of Enugu State from the Anambra State in 1991, the faculty of Social Sciences with its Departments were relocated to Adada Campus in Enugu State and the institution was renamed Enugu State University of Science and Technology. Sociology Department of Adada Campus started with only two lecturers; Prof. C. Owo and Dr. Okebunor in 1992/93 academic session. Dr. Flora Ntunde came back and headed the Department in 1993 till 1996. The first set of students graduated in 1996.
In 1997 Prof. Kanem Okonjo was appointed the Head of Department, the position she held till the year 2000. The order of HOD from this point follows thus:
Dr. Patrick Onyia 2000 – 2005
Prof. Flora Ntunde 2005 – 2009
Prof. Obiageli Omeje ( of Psychology Department) 2009 – 2011
Dr. Alex Aniche 2011 – 2015
Prof. C. Owo 2015 – 2020
Dr. Amadi Aroh 2020 – till date