Benue State University, Makurdi

Introduction

Following the submission from the ICT Committee and the directive by council at its 55th meeting held on Friday, 5th October 2010, the Directorate of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Benue State University Makurdi was established in October 2010 and was mandated to provide IT standards, guidelines and policy, strategic plan, and development in the University.

Our Vision
The ICT Vision is, “To build an effective and efficient ICT Centre that would be a hub to develop and meet the ICT needs of the University, Benue State, Nigeria, and Globally”.

About Us
The Directorate of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), is charged with the responsibilities of deploying ICT infrastructure and services for administration, teaching, research, and learning to the University Community. Below are the foremost functions and schedules of this directorate: Design, Provision and sustainability of Internet access to the University Community. Design, Provision and Maintenance of University Area Network. Help desk support services to the University community on ICT applications and facilities. Ensuring that the University community has a standard and robust Website through a constant maintenance and updating of the site. Maintenance of both application software and repairs of computers for the University Community. Research support through Statistical Analysis of postgraduate and undergraduate research activities in the University Community. Providing ICT capacity building for staff and students of the University through various training programmes. Augmenting the revenue generation for the University through the provision of ICT services within and for the public outside the University Community.

Assist departments and units in providing secure, reliable, University wide IT operations; To Promote Innovative Use of Information Technology that Adds Value to the academic environment.

The Benue State University mission to provide a world-class environment for learning, research and community service in this information driven age where intellectual capital is of the utmost value, can only be actualized with a well articulated, well managed information technology strategy. To achieve this, the Directorate of Communication and Information Technology (ICT) is vital to ensure that services delivered are of the highest technical content and of the best quality. There are a number of on-going ICT projects and future initiatives in the University Community which require an ICT workforce for its sustainability. This workforce is the BSU ICT directorate.

Ongoing Projects at the Directorate of ICT, Benue State University

The Directorate of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Benue State University is committed to enhancing the technological infrastructure of the university to better serve its staff, students, and the broader academic community. We are currently working on several key projects aimed at improving the digital experience on campus.

1. Renovation of ICT Facilities
The Directorate is undertaking significant renovation work to upgrade its physical facilities, ensuring a more conducive environment for ICT operations. This initiative will enhance the quality and efficiency of services offered to both staff and students.

2. Revamping the University Website and Portals
In line with our mission to improve accessibility and user experience, we are currently reworking the university’s official website as well as the student and staff portals. These improvements will streamline navigation, improve functionality, and provide a more intuitive interface, making it easier for users to access important information and services.

3. Upgrading ICT Equipment
In response to the growing needs of the university, we are expecting the delivery of new computers and accessories that will greatly enhance the efficiency of our operations. This upgrade will enable staff to perform tasks more effectively and provide students with the tools they need for academic success.

4. Staff Needs Assessment
To better serve the needs of our staff, we are conducting a comprehensive assessment to understand their specific ICT-related requirements. By gathering and analyzing this information, we aim to tailor our services and support to ensure that the needs of all staff members are met in a timely and efficient manner.

These projects among others are part of the Directorate’s ongoing efforts to build a more robust and dynamic ICT infrastructure that supports the growth and advancement of Benue State University. We remain dedicated to providing high-quality technological services that enhance the academic and administrative functions of the university.

Units in the Directorate of ICT

Benue State University, Directorate of ICT has the following departments: Network and Internet Services Unit, Management Information Systems Unit (MIS), Systems Development/Web & On-Line Applications Unit, Training and Development Unit, Maintenance & Support Services Unit.

 

Network and Internet Services Unit
The responsibilities of NISU include:

• The design, development, testing, implementation, troubleshooting and maintenance of University networks
• To expand the network and ensure that all relevant offices in the University are networked and connected to the internet for academic and administrative purposes Providing operational support and management of networks To undertake procurement, installation and monitor basic maintenance of network equipment Providing training and support for the internet/promoting awareness campaign;
• To load and update software packages required
• To assist in personnel development and training
• Monitoring and reporting progress and network status to the Director.

 

Management Information System (MIS)
The responsibilities of MIS include:

• To provide top management with relevant statistics and information on critical success factors in the management of the University by maintaining databases Database and portal development, availability, continuity, and provide security of data and information technology services in the unit and the university Support management decision making through deployment of Decision Support Systems (DSS) software
• The integration of all student, academic, registry and management records into the ICT automation plan and policy.
• To implement data protection regulations and access controls in-line with established laws, regulations, and policies.
• Producing and presenting reports in clear, precise, and understandable formats.
• Ensuring security of data and ensure that backup systems operate effectively.
• To introduce statistical processes, procedures, methodologies and systems relevant to the work area, including preparation of appropriate documentation.
• Carry out statistical analysis in diverse areas relevant to the work area.
• Understanding the statistical requirements of internal and external clients and where applicable, liaise, communicate and provide assistance.
• The recommendation and acquisition of relevant statistical packages.
• Monitoring and reporting progress and database status to Director.

 

Systems Development/Web & On-Line Applications Unit
The responsibilities of Software Development include:

• Full lifecycle application development.
• 
  Designing, coding and debugging applications in various software languages.
• 
  Software analysis, code analysis, requirements analysis, software review, identification of code metrics, system risk analysis, software reliability analysis.
• 
  Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOA and OOD).
• 
  Software modeling and simulation.Design.
• 
  Front end graphical user interface design.
• 
  Software testing and quality assurance.
• 
  Performance tuning, improvement, balancing, usability, automation.
• 
  Support, maintain and document software functionality.
• 
  Integrate software with existing systems.
• 
  Evaluate and identify new technologies for implementation.
• 
  Project Planning and Project Management.
• 
  Implement localization or globalization of software.
• 
  Monitoring and reporting progress and systems status to the Director.

 

Training and Development Unit
The responsibilities of Training Department include:

• Identifying training and development needs within the University through job analysis, appraisal schemes and regular consultation with Deans, Directors, Heads of Department, unit heads and Registry Department.
• Providing long-term improvement of employees' skills so that they can fulfil their potentials within the University
  Organizing ICT trainings & Development for both staff and students.
• The provision of leading-edge professional ICT training programmes (e.g. CISCO certificated programmes) either alone or with other relevant unit in the Directorate or with other internationally approved/reputed organizations outside the University.
• It provides IT consultancy services for clientele outside the university community in all its areas of capabilities.
• It also identifies and organizes required training needs of university staff for purposes of developing IT competence. With the decentralization of IT services across the campus, it is envisaged that ICT units will exist in different locations in units, departments and faculties. This unit would be responsible for supporting easy and effective use of these resources at the various locations.

 

Maintenance & Support Services Unit
The responsibilities of this unit include:

• To set up university help desk operations according to industry best practices.
• Establish methodologies to immediately handle system/application problems reported by both staff and students.
• Providing operational support and maintenance of network equipment, computing devices and supervise the provision of Telephone services and networks.
• Ensuring the stability of both software and hardware performance in computer systems and accessories by handling various faults in time and maintaining the stable operation of the systems.
• Maintaining ICT infrastructure/system uptime, ensuring increased network utilization and optimal network performance as a matter of priority. Additionally also to ensure that any degradation of service or fault must be resolved as efficiently as possible so as to have minimal impact on users.
• Finding and resolving the problems existing in networks equipment and document network trends that are tracked for analyses.
• Be responsible for the administration, specification and aggregation of the computing needs of university departments/units and maintaining documentation on same (i.e. computer laboratories/e-learning centers etc).
• Maintaining an ongoing inventory of all network devices.
• Monitoring and reporting progress and status to the Director.

Staff List

S/No.	Full Name	Rank	Status	Qualification	Specialization
1.	Dr. Usman Karim	Director, ICT	active	Ph.D	Software Development
2.	Emmanuel Ikyoyel	Chief Database Analyst	active	MSc.	MIS
3.	Shima Joseph Kundushima	Chief Computer Program Officer	active	MSc.	Program Officers
4.	Jack Umah	Network Administrator	active	MSc.	Network
5.	Paulben Ajene	Head of Training	active	MSc.	Training
6.	Simon Sar	Network Engineer	active		Network
7.	Athanasius Adzu	Support/Maintenance	active	B.Sc.	Support
8.	Adi Steve Shima	Chief Web Content Developer	active	B.Sc.	Software
9.	Gorge Gafa Tyubee	Chief Network Administrator	active	MSc.	Network
10.	Uke Denen	Principal Computer Program Officer	active	MSc.	Program Officers
11.	Caroline Ikyereve	Chief Computer Program Officer	active	MSc.	Program Officer
12.	Juliet Agber		active		Network
13.	David Yakugh	Principal Training Officer	active	MSc.	Training
14.	Okpali Gabriel	Chief Systems Engineer	active	MSc.	Software
15.	Edwin Iduh	Head, Support/Maintenance	active	BSc.	Maintenance
16.	Philip Iorakaa	Principal Computer Program Officer	active	BSc.	Program Officer
17.	Shishi Luper	Chief Computer Program Officer	active	MSc.	Program Officer
18.	Abya Newton	Chief Computer Program Officer	active	MSc.	Program Officer
19.	Onah Onaji	Chief Computer Program Officer	active	MSc.	Program Officer
20.	Theophilus IKyoyel	Chief Computer Program Officer	active	MSc.	Program Officer
21.	Ahuah Tersoo	Chief Systems Engineer	active	MSc.	Software
22.	Mrs Vivian	Secretary to the Director	active		Admin
23.	Martins Tsav	Computer Operator	active		Computer Operator