Benue State University, Makurdi

About the Directorate

The Directorate of Development and Linkage in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor was created on 30th of November, 2000 by the second Vice-Chancellor of the Benue State University (BSU) Professor David I. Ker. This was sequel to a recommendation from the National Universities Commission mandating Nigerian Universities to expand and upgrade the scope of the then existing Advancement Offices. The Advancement Office was to be subsumed under the Directorate of Development and Linkages.
The pioneer Director was Professor J. O. Ayatse. He used his personal office as a base for the operations of the Directorate. His tenure was however short lived as he was subsequently appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

He was succeeded by Dr. Sylvester Orsaah who was appointed with effect from 1st December, 2001 in the Faculty of Management Sciences. He was able to secure some office furniture and equipment and had a staff complement of four persons. This was not suitable enough be he tried the best he could by conducting a needs assessment of the University and adopted a strategy to solicit for some kind of assistance from Development partners such as the German Foundation, the Swedish Foundation, the European Commission, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the American Embassy and from some foreign Universities. He also contacted a number of Banks but not much was achieved and he left office without fully realizing his dreams as these development partners were not able to fulfil their promises.

Next in line was Professor Josiah Shindi 2004-2009. Professor Shindi had keyed into the Vision and Mission of the Directorate that was intended to obtain assistance, scholarships, grants and funds from several sources such as organisations, foundations, universities embassies, banks and individuals within and outside the country but without much success. He was however able to establish contacts and linkages with a numbers of institutions and universities both home and abroad.

On assumption of office in 2012, the Vice-Chancellor Professor Charity Angya appointed Professor Shima Gyoh as Director, Development and Linkages and Dr. Gabriel Nyityo as Deputy Director. The two worked very hard to link the University to various universities and research centres across the globe.

With exit of Professor Shima Gyoh, Dr. Gabriel Nyityo was elevated to the rank of Acting Director in 2014. However, on 6th January, 2016 the newly elected Vice-Chancellor Professor Msugh Moses Kembe appointed Professor Peter Terfa Ortese as the substantive Director, Development and Linkages. Has since assumed duty and is working hard to link the University to other Universities for purposes of staff development, student exchange, collaborative research and raising funds for capital development.

The Mission of Directorate of Development and Linkages

These include:

1. 1. To seek strategic partnership with other Universities and organisations, at home and abroad, in order to create strategic global synergy, opportunities and improve on distinctive core competence for mutual benefits.


2. 2. To meet National and International Best Practices.
3. 3. Coordinate the erection of Permanent Structures.
4. 4. Ensure suitable accommodation of all Units.
5. 4. Raising of sufficient funds to initiate or complete essential structures of the University.
6. 5. Linking with other Institutions and Agencies
7. 6. Input from Faculties, Departments and Units on their needs.
8. 7. Action to facilitate the achievement of the needs of the University.

List of Directors

1. 1. Professor J. O. Ayatse                -         2000 – 2001
2. 2. Dr. Sylvester Orsaah                   -         2001 – 2004
3. 3. Professor J. I. Shindi                  -         2004 – 2012
4. 4. Professor Shima Gyoh                -         2012 – 2014
5. 5. Dr. Gabriel Nyityo                      -         2014 – 2016
6. 6. Professor Peter Ortese                -         2016 – 2019
7. 7. Professor Akaa Imbwaseh                -         2019 – 2022
8. 8. Dr. Elijah Terdoo Ikpanor                -         2022 – Till date

LIST OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS/AGENCIES