Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM)

Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM), was established on January 1, 1988. Its origins trace back to the defunct Federal University of Technology, founded in 1980, which subsequently became the Makurdi campus of the University of Jos in October 1980. The university underwent a renaming in 2019, honored after Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarka, a notable Tiv politician and advocate for minority rights.

The foundational philosophy of JOSTUM is rooted in making scientific agriculture easily accessible to the average Nigerian farmer. This core principle mandates that the university’s scientific community actively addresses the practical challenges faced by village farmers. Furthermore, students are provided with extensive exposure to practical farm planning, production, and marketing, complemented by supervised farming internships at the village level, to equip them as effective extension agents.

JOSTUM’s vision is to achieve prominence as a leading institutional player in the national and global development of human resource capacity in Agriculture, Science, Engineering, and Technology (ASET), thereby contributing significantly to rapid economic growth. The university’s mission is to cultivate individuals who are creative, innovative, research-oriented, highly competent in their specializations, knowledgeable in entrepreneurship, and dedicated to service, epitomized by its motto: “Innovation and Service.”

The academic structure of the university is strategically organized into specialized colleges, each serving as a center of excellence aligned with its primary focus on agriculture and allied sciences. These colleges include the College of Agricultural and Science Education (CASE), College of Agronomy (COA), College of Animal Science (CAS), College of Engineering (COE), College of Food Technology and Human Ecology (COFHE), College of Forestry and Fisheries (COFF), College of Management Science (COMS), College of Sciences (COS), and College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM).

JOSTUM offers a comprehensive range of programs, including NUC-accredited undergraduate, postgraduate (PGD, M.Sc., M.Eng., Ph.D.), and various diploma and certificate courses. The curriculum places a strong, unwavering emphasis on developing practical skills, fostering research, and promoting entrepreneurship. Highly regarded professional programs include Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural Engineering, Food Science and Technology, Agronomy, and Animal Production.

Admission into JOSTUM is highly competitive and strictly merit-based. Prospective candidates are required to meet specific academic standards set by both JAMB and the university. General admission requirements stipulate at least five O’Level credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in no more than two sittings.

Applicants who achieve the minimum JAMB cut-off mark are mandated to register for and participate in the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise. The ultimate admission decision is determined by a composite score, calculated from both the JAMB and Post-UTME results. Direct Entry admission is also available for candidates holding National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND), or A’Level passes in pertinent agricultural and science disciplines.

Student life at JOSTUM is a dynamic blend of rigorous academic learning and immersive, hands-on practical experience. The university provides limited on-campus hostel accommodation for both male and female students, typically allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Campus facilities are extensive and include vast farmlands for crop and livestock production, modern research laboratories, a well-resourced central library, a functional veterinary teaching hospital, a comprehensive sports complex, student health centers, and multiple cafeterias. The Student Union Government (SUG) actively represents student interests, alongside numerous faculty, departmental, religious, and social organizations, such as the vibrant Young Farmers’ Club. The university calendar features key events like Matriculation, Convocation, an annual Farmers’ Day, cultural festivals, and academic seminars. Extracurricular activities frequently involve practical farm work, food processing exercises, engineering workshops, and laboratory experiments, all integral to student learning and personal development.