Benue State University, Makurdi

The mission of the University was clearly defined in the stated objectives as contained in the Edict establishing the University thus:

1. 1. To encourage and promote advancement of knowledge and to hold out to all persons without discrimination of race, creed or political conviction, the opportunity of acquiring University education;
2. 2. To encourage the effective application of higher education to the needs of the State through research and extension and consultancy
3. 3. To provide ready access for Benue State Citizens to higher education for self reliance
4. 4. To promote, preserve and propagate the social and cultural heritage of the diverse people of the state and
5. 5. To engage in any other activities of a developmental University of the highest standard.

The establishment of Benue State University, Makurdi on December 27th, 1991 was a culmination of decades of sustained efforts by successive administrations since the creation of the state in 1976 to address an educational in-balance, the roots of which can be traced to as far back as the Colonial period.

Benue State was created in 1976 and by 1980 the Civilian Executive Governor of the State, Mr. Aper Aku had expressed the desire of his administration to establish a University. Professor Jibril Aminu was requested to conduct a feasibility studies for the proposed State University. In 1982, the Benue State University of Technology was established by the State Government with Professor Ochapa C. Onazi as its pioneer Vice Chancellor. This establishment prompted the then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari to announce the immediate take-over of the Benue State University of Technology and the setting-up of more of such Universities in other parts of Nigeria.

Tribute must be paid to Colonel Attahiru Makka, the Military Governor of Benue State from 1989 to 1992, during which the proposed Benue State University became a reality in 1991. The University is located in Makurdi, Benue State capital on a land area 180,494 hectares along Makurdi-Gboko Road.

In 1992/93 academic sessions, admission of students into the six faculties was estimated at 700 to rise steadily to 2,100 in 1996/97 session. Today in addition to the existing six faculties, a College of Health Sciences has been established and the University Teaching Hospital has also been established.