Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (UAM) was established in 1988 by the Federal Government of Nigeria as the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. It was one of the specialized universities created to promote agricultural education, research, and food security in Nigeria.

The university was named after Joseph Sarwuan Tarka, a prominent Nigerian politician and advocate for agricultural development. In 2019, the institution was officially renamed in his honour to reflect his contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

UAM was established with a strong mandate to develop skilled manpower in agriculture, science, and technology, with emphasis on practical training and research. Over the years, it has expanded its academic offerings beyond agriculture to include engineering, sciences, management, and environmental studies, becoming one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural universities.

Location

Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University
Makurdi
Benue State
Nigeria

Faculties / Colleges / Schools

The university operates through the following colleges:

• College of Agronomy

• College of Agricultural Economics and Extension

• College of Animal Science

• College of Forestry and Fisheries

• College of Engineering

• College of Science

• College of Food Technology and Human Ecology

• College of Management Sciences

• College of Veterinary Medicine

List of Courses Offered by Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (UAM)

Courses are offered across colleges and include:

Agriculture and Related Programmes

• Agriculture

• Agronomy

• Animal Science

• Fisheries and Aquaculture

• Forestry

• Crop Production

• Soil Science

Science Programmes

• Biochemistry

• Microbiology

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Mathematics

• Statistics

Engineering Programmes

• Agricultural Engineering

• Civil Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Electrical/Electronics Engineering

Management and Social Sciences

• Accounting

• Business Management

• Economics

Food and Environmental Programmes

• Food Science and Technology

• Home Science and Management

• Nutrition and Dietetics

Veterinary Medicine

• Veterinary Medicine

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admission

• Candidates must sit for UTME conducted by JAMB.

• Applicants must have at least five O’Level credits including English Language and Mathematics.

• Candidates must select UAM as first choice or apply for a change of institution.

• Applicants must meet the required cut-off mark.

• Candidates must participate in the Post-UTME screening exercise.

Admission Portal
https://myportal.uam.edu.ng/applicantLogin

Direct Entry Admission

• Candidates with ND, HND, NCE, IJMB, or equivalent qualifications can apply through JAMB Direct Entry.

• Applicants must meet departmental requirements.

Postgraduate Admission

The university offers postgraduate programmes including PGD, Master’s, and PhD in various disciplines.

Please check School Website or Latest News Below for updated info.

School Fees

The last known school fees for undergraduate students are approximately:

• Fresh students: ₦70,000 – ₦90,000 per session

• Returning students: ₦50,000 – ₦70,000 per session

Additional charges may include:

• Acceptance fee: approximately ₦20,000

• ICT and development levies

Please check School Website or Latest News Below for updated info.

Cut-off Mark

The last known minimum JAMB cut-off mark is:

• General cut-off: 140 – 180 depending on course

• Competitive courses (e.g., Engineering, Veterinary Medicine): 180 and above

Hostel / Accommodation

The university provides on-campus hostel accommodation.

The last known details include:

• Hostel fees: approximately ₦15,000 – ₦25,000 per session

• Accommodation is allocated after payment of school fees

• Allocation is on a first-come, first-served basis

Academic Calendar

JOSTUM Releases Updated Registration Schedule for Newly Admitted Students, 2026/2027

The management of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), has released an updated registration and documentation schedule for newly admitted students for the 2026/2027 academic session. According to a notice issued by the Office of the Registrar, the exercise will run from Friday, 30 October, to Friday, 20 November 2026, at the College of Agronomy Auditorium, North Core, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily.

Newly admitted students are required to present the original copies and photocopies of their registration documents. These include receipts for the ₦2,000 Post-UTME fee, ₦10,000 processing fee and ₦50,000 acceptance fee; JAMB admission letter and score sheet; pre-registration slip or acceptance letter; O’Level result; two copies of the online screening form; certificate of state of origin; birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission or declaration of age; and two recent passport photographs. The university warned that mutilated documents, particularly birth certificates, will not be accepted.

The departmental registration timetable is as follows:

Date	Departments and programmes
Friday, 30 October 2026	B.Ed. Biology Education; B.Ed. Environmental Education; B.Ed. Adult Education; B.Ed. English Education; B.Ed. Agricultural and Science Education
Monday, 2 November 2026	B.Ed. History and Archaeology Education; B.Ed. Business Education; B.Ed. Physics Education; B.Ed. Industrial Technology Education; B.Ed. Entrepreneurship; B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling; B.Ed. Pre-Primary Education (Social Studies); B.Ed. Chemistry; B.Ed. Integrated Science
Tuesday, 3 November 2026	Food Science and Technology; Home Science and Management
Wednesday, 4 November 2026	Industrial Physics; Microbiology
Thursday, 5 November 2026	Animal Science; Environmental Sustainability; Veterinary Medicine
Friday, 6 November 2026	Statistics; Computer Science; Mathematics; B.Ed. Statistics/Computer Science; Business Administration
Monday, 9 November 2026	Soil Science; Botany; Crop Production; Plant Breeding and Seed Science; Fisheries and Aquaculture; Forestry and Wildlife Management; Procurement Management
Tuesday, 10 November 2026	Educational Administration and Planning; Library and Information Science
Wednesday, 11 November 2026	Agribusiness; Accounting; Marketing; Banking and Finance; Banking and Finance; Agricultural Marketing and Cooperative
Thursday, 12 November 2026	Sustainable Social Development; Agricultural Economics and Management Technology; Biochemistry
Friday, 13 November 2026	Computer Engineering; B.Ed. Mathematics/Computer Science; B.Ed. Mathematics/Statistics; Nutrition and Dietetics
Monday, 16 November 2026	Industrial Chemistry; Zoology; B.Sc. Chemistry; B.Sc. Physics
Tuesday, 17 November 2026	Telecommunication Engineering; Environmental Engineering; Mechanical Engineering
Wednesday, 18 November 2026	Agricultural and Biosystem; B.Ed. English; B.Sc. Statistics; Crop and Environmental Protection; Electrical/Electronic Engineering; Computer/Statistics Education; Civil Engineering
Thursday, 19 November 2026	Public Administration; B.Ed. Home Economics; Educational Administration and Planning; Agricultural Engineering; B.Sc. Entrepreneurship; B.Sc. Industrial Physics
Friday, 20 November 2026	Mop-up registration

The notice was signed by Dr. John U. David, Registrar of the university. All newly admitted students are advised to follow the registration timetable strictly and attend on their designated dates with the required documents to avoid delays.

JOSTUM Notice Board

JOSTUM 2026/2027 First Semester Resumption and Registration

Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), Benue State, has announced the commencement of the first semester of the 2026/2027 academic session for fresh and returning students. According to an internal memorandum dated 19 October 2026, issued by the Office of the Registrar, the semester officially commenced on 18 October 2026.

The memorandum, addressed to all students, directs both newly admitted and returning students to proceed with registration for the new academic session. The university has clarified that registration will be based on the existing school charges, meaning students are to use the current school fees structure.

The notice was signed by the Registrar, Dr John U. David, FCA, who welcomed students back to campus and wished them a successful academic session. Students are expected to comply with the university’s registration instructions and complete the required processes for the semester.

Fresh and returning students are advised to take note of the resumption date and ensure that their registration is completed in accordance with the university’s directive. They should also follow official JOSTUM communication channels for any additional information regarding registration and academic activities.

JOSTUM Suspends Proposed Undergraduate School Fee Increase for 2026/2027

Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), has suspended its proposed increase in undergraduate school fees for the 2026/2027 academic session. Vice-Chancellor Professor Isaac N. Itodo announced that undergraduate fees will remain unchanged following concerns raised by students and consultations with relevant university regulatory bodies.

Professor Itodo explained that he had monitored students’ reactions on social media, reviewed their comments and engaged with some students before making the decision. He acknowledged the financial and operational challenges facing the university but also recognised the sacrifices parents and guardians make to fund their children’s education. Consequently, the proposed increase will not take effect in the coming session.

The Vice-Chancellor also addressed the university’s resumption plans, noting the need to recover academic time lost to a strike and other delays. He said the institution aims to make sufficient progress in the new academic session before the 2027 general elections to minimise the risk of further disruptions to teaching and learning.

Professor Itodo urged students to express their concerns through established channels of dialogue, while criticising confrontational actions, including the circulation of flyers bearing the slogan “ITODO MUST GO”. He reaffirmed students’ right to question university decisions but warned against violence, intimidation and activities that could disrupt academic work. Students were encouraged to focus on their studies as the new session approaches.

Notable Alumni

Notable alumni of UAM include:

• Abba Patrick Moro – Nigerian politician and former Minister of Interior; Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District.
• Terwase Orbunde – Nigerian lawyer, politician and former Chief of Staff to the Governor of Benue State.
• Tersoo Kume – Nigerian journalist and media professional.
• Prof. Emmanuel I. Kucha – Nigerian academic and former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
• Prof. Anthony Iorlamen Iorliam – Nigerian academic and professor in the field of engineering.
• Prof. Rufus Sha’Ato – Nigerian academic and agricultural scientist.
• Prof. Shola Solomon – Nigerian academic and university professor.

Official Website/Login Portal Links

• Official Website
  https://uam.edu.ng/

• Student Portal
  https://myportal.uam.edu.ng/

• Applicant Portal
  https://myportal.uam.edu.ng/applicantLogin

• Login Portal
  https://myportal.uam.edu.ng/loginhome

Contact Information

Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University
Makurdi
Benue State
Nigeria

• Phone: Please check School Website or Latest News Below for updated info.

• Email: info@uam.edu.ng

Please check School Website or Latest News Below for updated info.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University located?
The university is located in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

When was UAM established?
The university was established in 1988.

What courses are offered at UAM?
The university offers programmes in agriculture, engineering, sciences, management, and veterinary medicine.

Does UAM conduct Post-UTME screening?
Yes. Candidates must participate in the Post-UTME screening exercise.

What is the cut-off mark for UAM?
The cut-off mark ranges from 140 to 180 depending on the course. Please check School Website or Latest News Below for updated info.