Engr. Prof. Isaac Itodo: From Young Student Across Nigeria to Vice-Chancellor of JOSTUM
Engr. Professor Isaac Nathaniel Itodo has reflected on a life and career spanning education, engineering, research, renewable energy, academic administration and institutional service, describing his journey as one shaped by learning, mentorship, responsibility and a commitment to serving people and institutions.
In his personal account, Itodo traced his journey from his childhood years in different parts of Nigeria to his current role as Vice-Chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM).
Early Life and Education
Isaac Nathaniel Itodo was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, but spent his childhood in several parts of Nigeria.
Between 1968 and 1975, he attended primary schools in Kano, Sokoto, Afikpo, Abakaliki, Enugu and Kaduna. He said the experience of growing up across different communities exposed him to different people, cultures and ways of life.
In 1976, he moved to Makurdi, where he attended Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School from 1976 to 1981.
His interest in engineering later took him to the University of Jos, Makurdi Campus, now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1986.
He subsequently obtained a Master of Science degree in 1989 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in December 1993 from the University of Ibadan.
Itodo said his educational journey taught him that education goes beyond obtaining certificates, describing it as a means of developing the capacity to understand problems, find solutions and contribute to society.
Beginning of an Academic Career
Itodo began his academic career in 1987 as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Jos.
Over the following years, he progressed through the academic ranks and became a Professor in October 2003.
His academic and administrative responsibilities included serving as Head of the Department of Agricultural Engineering from 1996 to 2000, Deputy Dean from 2001 to 2002 and Dean of the College of Engineering from 2005 to 2008.
He also served as Editor of the Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Hall Adviser of Hostel D, Programme Leader for Technology and Environment at the Institute of Food Security and later Director of Linkages.
According to Itodo, these responsibilities provided different experiences in academic leadership and strengthened his understanding of universities as communities built around people, ideas and knowledge.
University Administration and Service
Itodo’s involvement in university administration expanded over the years.
He served on the university’s Governing Council and participated in or chaired several committees, including the University Corporate Image Committee, Public and Inaugural Lecture Committee and University Sports Committee.
He also coordinated the UAM/NNPC Automotive Ethanol Biomass Programme for more than a decade and served as Chairman of the Pope John Paul II Catholic Chaplaincy.
In 2014, he received the Outstanding Service Award of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
Reflecting on his administrative experience, Itodo said leadership comes with responsibility and that leadership should ultimately be understood as service.
Research, Mentorship and Academic Impact
Research and mentorship have been significant parts of Itodo’s academic career.
According to his account, he has supervised more than 50 undergraduate projects, 25 postgraduate diploma projects, 21 Master of Engineering theses and 12 PhD theses.
He also noted that eight of his former postgraduate students have gone on to become professors.
Beyond supervision, he has served as an editor or member of editorial boards of learned societies and university journals and has mentored young researchers through initiatives including the SEED Programme of the Nigerian Academy of Science.
Itodo described the development of students and researchers as one of the enduring measures of an academic career.
Engineering, Renewable Energy and Innovation
Itodo’s professional interests have extended beyond conventional agricultural engineering, with renewable energy forming an important part of his work.
He received a scholarship from Kassel University, Germany, in 2011 to participate in the International Solar Energy Society Solar World Congress.
From 2016 to 2019, he served as President of the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria and remains a life member of the organisation. He currently serves as Chairman of its Board of Trustees.
His work has also included biofuels, biomass and energy systems. He participated in technical committees involved in developing Nigeria’s biofuels training manual and standards for biofuels production.
Itodo also holds two Nigerian patents: one for a yam-in-mound harvesting machine and another for an improved acha dehulling machine.
He said his innovations reflect his belief that knowledge should ultimately be applied to solving practical problems.
Service Across Nigerian Universities and Professional Institutions
Itodo has participated in academic and professional activities beyond his home university.
He said he has served on COREN and NUC accreditation committees involving 23 universities, examined postgraduate candidates across nine universities and assessed candidates from 17 universities for promotion to the rank of Professor.
He has also contributed to academic programme and institutional development, including work associated with the establishment of faculties and programmes at Benue State University.
In addition, he has served as an External Assessor in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian universities.
In 2021, he was appointed Chairman of the Presidential Visitation Panel to the Federal University, Gusau.
Professional Engineering Service
Within the engineering profession, Itodo served as Chief Examiner for Agricultural Engineering at the Makurdi Zonal Office of COREN from 2002 to 2012 and later served as an Engineering Regulation and Monitoring Inspector.
He also served as Technical Secretary of the Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology of Nigerian Universities.
His professional service has included participation in committees of the Nigerian Society of Engineers dealing with engineering education, professional practice and graduate internship.
Since 2021, he has served as Chairman of the Agricultural Engineering Curriculum Review Committee of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers.
He is also Vice Chairman of the Agriculture Committee and a member of the Membership Committee of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering.
International Academic and Professional Engagement
Itodo’s professional work has included international engagements.
Between 1997 and 1998, he served as Team Lead and Consultant to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
He has participated in conferences and presented papers in countries including South Africa, the United States, Germany, the Republic of Benin and Canada.
According to his account, he has attended more than 108 national and international conferences and workshops and presented 46 papers as a keynote, guest or lead speaker.
Publications and Research Contributions
Itodo said he has authored or co-authored 125 publications.
His books include Agricultural Energy Technology and Biogas Technology in Nigeria, both published by CRC Press, London.
One of his publications on the effects of biogas fuel in electric generators received the third-best engineering academic publication award in Nigeria in 2019.
Beyond engineering and scientific research, Itodo has also maintained an interest in literature and poetry and has published poems in anthologies.
Professional Recognition
Itodo’s career has attracted several professional and national recognitions.
He became a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in 2009 and a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering in 2021. He is also a Fellow of the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers.
In 2021, he received the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM), a national recognition for productivity and service.
He has also received the Excellence Award as an Academic Icon in the Engineering Profession from the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Makurdi, and the Distinguished Award of Excellence (Academic) from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi Alumni Association.
In 2007, he was honoured with the traditional Igala title of Commander of the Igala Kingdom by the Igala Cultural and Development Association.
Appointment as JOSTUM Vice-Chancellor
In February 2023, Itodo was appointed the 7th Vice-Chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi.
For him, the appointment represented another chapter in a career that had already included teaching, research, administration, professional practice and institutional development.
He said leadership at the level of Vice-Chancellor requires patience, listening, difficult decision-making and the ability to bring different interests together around a common institutional purpose.
Itodo also emphasised that an institution is bigger than any individual occupying an office.
His stated responsibilities as Vice-Chancellor include contributing to institutional growth, strengthening systems, encouraging scholarship, supporting staff and students and creating an environment where members of the university community can fulfil their potential.
Service Beyond the University
Itodo’s service has also extended to alumni and other professional organisations.
He served as 2nd Vice President of the Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities and currently serves as Provost of the Mount Saint Gabriel Old Boys Association.
His role with the old boys’ association carries particular significance because Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School was part of his formative years.
He has also served on various national and institutional committees, including bodies connected with education, engineering, renewable energy and institutional development.
Family and Personal Interests
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Itodo described himself as a husband and father.
He said he is married to Grace and that they have a daughter, Iye.
Outside his professional commitments, he enjoys playing squash, reading and watching football.
He described family as an important source of grounding amid the demands of academic and public responsibilities.
Lessons From a Long Career
Reflecting on his journey, Itodo said his experiences have taught him that success is built gradually through classrooms, laboratories, offices, institutions, relationships, opportunities and challenges.
He identified several lessons from his career, including the belief that positions are temporary while impact can endure, knowledge becomes more valuable when shared and leadership is fundamentally about service.
He also emphasised the importance of building institutions that can outlive individual leaders.
A Continuing Journey
From a childhood spent in different parts of Nigeria to his years at Mount Saint Gabriel’s, his engineering education and subsequent academic career, Itodo described his life as a journey through different seasons of learning and service.
His career has included roles as a student, teacher, researcher, inventor, mentor, administrator, professional, husband and father.
As Vice-Chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, he said he remains committed to education, engineering, research, renewable energy, mentorship and institutional development.
He also expressed a continuing commitment to helping young people discover their abilities and create meaningful futures.
For Itodo, the journey remains ongoing, with further opportunities to learn, teach, lead, mentor and serve.
Newsbino Media Publishing reports that the account is based on Professor Isaac Nathaniel Itodo’s personal reflection and the biographical information contained in his statement.
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