Profile of Joseph Utsev, ministerial nominee from Benue

Academic, politician, philanthropist, entrepreneur and administrator of great repute was born into the Utsev Akaa family of Mbaakura, Mbagen in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.

EDUCATION

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi where he graduated as the best graduating student in 2004 with 2nd Class Honours “Upper Division” in grade.

Between 2005 and 2006, he was at the Kaduna State Development and Property Company (KSDPC) for his one (1) year mandatory NYSC scheme. Upon completion of his NYSC, He was thereafter retained as Graduate Assistant in the Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi in 2006. The distinguished engineering scholar is also an alumnus of the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka where he bagged both Masters and PhD Degrees in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering in 2007 and 2011 respectively.

WORKING CAREER

With about 17years lecturing and professional experience, Engr. Prof. Terlumun Utsev who has about 40 publications in both national and international journals of great repute have earned a reputation as a truly accomplished administrator and highly respected professional within the West African sub region given his diverse experience in Civil Engineering practice and research.

Due to his love and passion for excellence, the amiable administrator, Prof. Utsev was appointed as Deputy Director and later confirmed as full Director in the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi from 2013 – 2017 where he championed the setting up of seven (7) workshops which are currently used for the training of students in entrepreneurship which also forms a source of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the Institution.

Consequently, in the same year 2017, Prof. Utsev was appointed Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Water Resources and Environment Benue State where he was instrumental to the design of the Idye Basin Phase II (Police Zone 4 – Mobile Barracks) drainage and also influenced its construction by the Federal Government.

In 2020, President Mohammadu Buhari approved his appointment as the Executive Director Engineering, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority Makurdi. Within his short stay at the Authority, he led the engineering team and supervised the construction of many dams, bridges, roads, boreholes, drainages, amongst other engineering projects.

He is currently the pioneer Rector, Federal Polytechnic Wannune, Benue State where he is working to build the Polytechnic to a world class Institution that will solve academic, vocational and employment challenges of the state and Nigeria at large.

HONOURS/AWARDS

Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev is a recipient of many honours/awards which include but are not limited to the following:

Best Honourable Commissioner in the Water/Environmental sector in Nigeria by Independent Assessors- 2018;
Academic Noble Award by the Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria; Award for Effective Service Delivery and Open Door Policy by the Jemgbagh Media Forum;
Onov Mba Tavershima by the Catholic Women Organization, Catholic Youth Centre Parish, Makurdi;
Distinguished Merit Award for Academic Excellence by Kings Comprehensive College Old Students Association;
Distinguished Merit Award for Water Resources Engineering Infrastructural Development;
Award of Service by the Alumni of the University of Agriculture Makurdi; Professional Excellence Award by the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Makurdi Chapter; Distinguished Merit Award for Water Resources Engineering Infrastructural Development;
Appreciation by ACE Events management, UK, for support at the 2017 Edition of Water Africa and West-Africa Building & Construction’
In 2018, the Campus Chapter of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi Alumni Association honoured him with a Distinguished Merit Award;
In acknowledgement of his drive for excellence, Engr. Prof. Utsev was named Vessel of Perseverance by the St John Paul II Catholic Chaplaincy, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi in 2018.
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES/ASSOCIATIONS

Prof. Terlumun Utsev is a Registered Civil Engineer by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN);
Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers;
Fellow, Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers;
Fellow, Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers;
Fellow, Institute of Corporate Executives of Nigeria;
Fellow, Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria;
Member, Institute of Entrepreneurs of Nigeria;
Graduate Member, Nigerian Institution of Management among others.
He has successfully supervised many undergraduate and postgraduate research and also attended many professional conferences and workshops across Nigeria, Africa, United States of America, United Kingdom, among others. He was recently promoted to the esteemed rank of Professor of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi.

Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev enjoys reading, initiating new research frontiers, travelling and playing badminton. He is happily married and the marriage is blessed with children.