The Vice-Chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), Engr. Prof. Isaac N. Itodo, FAEng, FNSE, FNIAE, FSESN, NPOM, is celebrating his birthday today, August 18, 2026, with a reflective message centred on stewardship, transformation, service and gratitude to God. He has shared a personal reflection titled “ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE ACCOUNT: A JOURNEY OF STEWARDSHIP, TRANSFORMATION AND GRATITUDE.”
In the reflection, Prof. Itodo expressed gratitude to Almighty God for His grace, mercy, protection and guidance, describing every birthday as a gift from God and an opportunity to pause, reflect and give an account of the stewardship entrusted to him.
He encouraged the public, the JOSTUM community, friends, partners and stakeholders to read the message to the end, explaining that beyond the birthday wishes and celebrations, he wanted to use the occasion to provide a glimpse into what God has supported his administration to accomplish since he assumed office as Vice-Chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, in March 2023.
Having spent about 40 years on the university campus and being one of the oldest professors of the institution, Prof. Itodo reflected on his experience of JOSTUM across different generations and perspectives.
He noted that he has studied the institution closely, understood its challenges, witnessed its evolution and, most importantly, understood its enormous potential.
When he assumed office, the Vice-Chancellor said he gave himself a clear assignment: four years to make an impact and a fifth year to consolidate, refine and brush up the gains already made.
He acknowledged that the task was never going to be easy, noting that transforming an institution with longstanding infrastructural, academic, administrative and developmental challenges requires vision, courage, patience, sacrifice, teamwork and, above all, God’s favour.
Today, he said, he is grateful to God that the university community can look back and point to tangible results.
One of the most visible areas of intervention, according to the Vice-Chancellor, has been infrastructure development and the transformation of the physical environment of the University.
THE VERIFICATION WAS NOT BASED ON MY WORDS ALONE
To provide an objective picture of what exists on ground, an independent consultant was engaged and instructed to conduct a field survey and physical verification of the University’s projects and locations.
The instruction was simple: go to the field, see things for yourself, physically inspect the locations and document what you find.
The exercise was therefore not simply a desk review based on documents or claims presented by the administration. The consultant physically moved around the campus and documented the locations and projects observed.
The accompanying graphics are a visual presentation of the findings from that verification exercise.
Prof. Itodo said he believes this is important because leadership should be measured not only by what leaders say they have achieved, but also by what can be seen, physically verified and experienced.
1. INVENTORY WALK PATHWAY: 20 LOCATIONS VISITED
The independent field verification covered 20 locations across the University, documented according to the order of movement during the walkthrough.
- School Gate (Main Entrance)
- South Core Axis
- College of Education
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- College of Science
- Works and Maintenance Department
- Students’ Hostels (South Core)
- Middle Core
- Security Department
- University Clinic
- College of Food Science and Technology
- College of Management Sciences
- College of Engineering
- Students’ Hostels (North Core)
- College of Agricultural Economics and Extension
- Agronomy
- Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library
- Administrative Block
- Aper Aku Auditorium
- College of Animal Science (End Point)
Summary: 20 locations physically visited across academic, administrative, residential, security and service areas.
2. RENOVATED PROJECTS: 25 VERIFIED INTERVENTIONS
The independent verification identified 25 renovated projects/interventions, all recorded as verified.
- Renovation of the Main School Gate Entrance
- Renovation of the Science Lecture Theatre
- Renovation of the Career Service Centre Building
- Renovation of the Research and Development Centre Building
- Renovation of the University Clinic
- Renovation of the Engr. Funsho Kupolokun Lecture Theatre, College of Engineering
- Renovation of the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Old Building
- Renovation of the College of Engineering Lecture Theatre
- Renovation of the College of Agricultural Economics and Extension Lecture Theatre
- Renovation of the College of Agricultural Economics and Extension Building
- Renovation of the College of Animal Science Lecture Theatre
- Renovation of the College of Animal Science Lecture and Office Building
- Renovation of Hostels at South Core
- Renovation of Hostels at North Core
- Renovation of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
- Renovation of the Building Housing the Department of Telecommunication Engineering
- Renovation of the Building Housing the Department of Computer Engineering
- Renovation of the Engineering Workshop at the College of Engineering
- Renovation of the Vice Chancellor’s Lodge
- Renovation of the Police Station Unit on Campus
- Return of Five Nigerian Police Officers to be Permanently Stationed on Campus
- Design and Introduction of New Uniforms and Kits for the JOSTUM Security Department
- Procurement of Five New Motorcycles for Security Patrol on Campus
- Procurement of Over Sixty Walkie-Talkie Gadgets for Effective Security Communication
- Introduction of a Comprehensive Security Patrol Coordinated with the DSS and the Nigerian Army
Summary: 25 renovated projects/interventions, all verified, including 5 major security interventions.
3. COMPLETED PROJECTS: 12 VERIFIED PROJECTS
The verification identified 12 completed projects, all recorded as verified.
- Installation of CCTV Cameras at Strategic Places Around the School Campus
- Semi-Fencing of the College of Education
- Construction of the New Security Department Building
- Construction of the 500-Seater Capacity Sonny Echono Auditorium at the College of Food Technology and Human Ecology
- Construction of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Building
- Construction of the Agricultural Extension and Communication Building
- Construction of the Agronomy Research Centre
- Construction of a Parking Lot at the Prof. Anande Kimbir Senate Building
- Construction of a Parking Lot at the College of Agricultural Economics and Extension
- Construction of a Parking Lot at the Sonny Echono Auditorium
- Construction of the Drawing Studio and Library Building at the College of Engineering
- Construction of the Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology Building
Summary: 12 completed projects, all verified. Renovated plus completed projects: 37.
4. ONGOING PROJECTS: 7 VERIFIED PROJECTS
The verification identified 6 ongoing projects, all recorded as verified.
- Construction of an International Conference Centre
- Fencing of the Male and Female Hostels at South Core
- Construction of the College of Computing Science
- Construction of the ICT Building
- Construction of the Entrepreneurship Centre
- Construction of a Green House Consisting of 5 Separate Units
- Construction of implementation shed & Laboratory for the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Summary: 7 ongoing projects, all verified. Renovated + completed + ongoing projects: 44.
5. THE 44 PROJECTS REPRESENTED IN THE HISTOGRAM
The histogram accompanying this message presents four key figures:
20 Locations Visited | 25 Renovated Projects | 12 Completed Projects | 7 Ongoing Projects
The three project categories give us:
25 renovated + 12 completed + 7 ongoing = 44 projects.
This is why 44 is prominently displayed as the Grand Total Projects in the graphic.
6. THE COMPLETE VERIFICATION REPORT IDENTIFIED 65 PROJECTS
The full independent verification report contains another category: 21 new sign posts.
The report’s summary records:
21 New Sign Posts + 25 Renovated Projects + 12 Completed Projects + 7 Ongoing Projects = 65 Total Projects Identified.
Therefore, the 44 shown in the histogram represents the combined figure for renovated, completed and ongoing projects, while the complete verification report records 65 projects identified when the 21 new sign posts are included.
Prof. Itodo said he considers this clarification important because accountability requires the figures to be presented honestly and in their proper context.
7. BEYOND THE NUMBERS
But infrastructure is not simply about buildings.
Behind every renovated lecture theatre is a better environment for teaching and learning. Behind every completed building is an opportunity for academic activity, research or administration. Behind every security intervention is an effort to create a safer University community. Behind every ongoing project is a vision of what JOSTUM can become.
And behind every achievement is the collective effort of people who believe in the future of this institution.
Prof. Itodo therefore said he does not present these achievements as the work of one individual. They are the result of collective responsibility.
He acknowledged the contributions of the Governing Council, Principal Officers, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, academic and non-academic staff, students, contractors, development partners, government agencies and every member of the JOSTUM family who has contributed to this journey.
ENGR. PROF. I. N. ITODO BIRTHDAY REFLECTION SHARED BELOW:
As I celebrate another year today, I am reminded that leadership is ultimately about stewardship.
What did we inherit? What did we do with it? What did we improve? And what are we leaving behind for those coming after us?
Having spent approximately four decades on this campus, I understand that institutions are not transformed overnight. They are transformed deliberately, patiently and consistently.
When I took on this responsibility in March 2023, I knew the challenges before us. I also knew the enormous potential of JOSTUM.
I gave myself four years to make an impact and a fifth year to consolidate and brush up what we had achieved.
Today, I am not claiming that every challenge has disappeared. Far from it.
There is still much to do. There are still projects to complete, systems to strengthen, opportunities to create and new frontiers to explore.
But I am grateful that, by God’s grace, we have been able to move the University forward in several important areas.
The journey continues. The work continues. The responsibility continues.
And my commitment to the future of JOSTUM remains unwavering.
On this birthday, therefore, I choose not only to celebrate life, but to celebrate service, stewardship, progress and the grace of God.
I thank Almighty God for the privilege to serve.
I thank the JOSTUM community for the confidence reposed in me.
I thank everyone who has supported this administration.
And I thank all those who continue to believe that JOSTUM can rise higher, become stronger and take its rightful place among leading universities.
This is not the end of the journey. It is another milestone on the journey.
TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY.
Engr. Prof. Isaac N. Itodo
Vice Chancellor
Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM)
March 2023 to Date
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