After she made Grade One in her Cambridge School Certificate, Mrs. Irene Ugbam proceeded to the University of Lagos where she earned her NCE in Mathematics and E English. She later gained admission into the University Pittsburgh in the United States of America where she graduated with a B.Sc. in Mathematics.
She has taught Mathematics and Further Mathematics/ Additional Mathematics in various schools like Queens School, Awukunanaw Girls High School and Uwani Secondary School all in Enugu. She also worked with the WAEC Inspection team.
She was a Principal at Uwani Secondary Enugu and attained to the rank of Principal (Special Class) before she retired as a Director in the Enugu State Post Primary Schools Management Board(PPSMB), Enugu.