Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM)

Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM) is a federal university in Makurdi, Benue State, established on January 1, 1988 as the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. The institution evolved from the former Federal University of Technology in Makurdi, which was established in 1980 and subsequently became the Makurdi campus of the University of Jos. Its original mandate was closely tied to Nigeria’s agricultural development, with an emphasis on integrating teaching, research and extension services to address practical agricultural challenges and strengthen national food production capacity.
The university was renamed Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi through legislation in honour of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka, a prominent Nigerian statesman from Benue State. While retaining its agricultural heritage, JOSTUM has developed a broader academic profile encompassing agriculture, engineering, sciences, environmental disciplines, management, education, food technology and related fields. Its institutional philosophy continues to connect university research and professional training with practical problems affecting agriculture, rural development and wider national development.