Charles Ekpo holds a bachelor's degree in History and International Studies from the University of Calabar, Nigeria, and a master's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He is also certified in peacebuilding processes and genocide and human rights studies by the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) and The International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (a division of the Zoryan Institute), respectively.

Mr. Ekpo is currently a doctoral candidate in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. His dissertation, titled "Ritualised Escalation, Restorative Peacemaking: The Indigenous Peacebuilding Systems of Iban Isọñ and Akata Societies in South-Eastern Nigeria,” compares the traditional peacebuilding methods of the Iban Isọñ and Akata societies of southern Nigeria. It draws from extensive ethnographic data to contribute new knowledge to the field of restorative justice by enhancing understanding of the relationship between ritual, controlled conflict, and restorative outcomes. Ekpo's research is driven by a deep commitment to understanding and preserving effective local peace traditions in his home region.

The prestigious ANU Balzan PhD Prize and Fellowship, which funds Ekpo’s fieldwork and access to ANU’s library, recognises the potential of Ekpo's research and provides essential resources that will significantly improve the quality of his data and dissertation. It will also enable him to attend conferences, where he can present his work-in-progress and receive invaluable feedback. Above all, this fellowship positions Ekpo to become a leading voice in indigenous approaches to restorative justice and peacebuilding in Nigeria.