Sowing the Seeds of a New Academic Dawn in Nigeria’s Versity Ihugh
Nigeria
From the VC’s conner
In the unfolding narrative of Benue State’s development, a pivotal moment has arrived—one where visionary policy transforms into tangible reality. This moment is embodied in the establishment of the University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (UAST) at Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area, a landmark initiative by the Benue State Government.
Set amid the serene beauty, rich greenery, and industrious spirit of Vandeikya in Jechira, UAST is far more than an institution of higher learning. It stands as a luminous beacon of progress—a deliberate, strategic investment in education equity and regional advancement. Anchored in the heartlands of Benue’s Zone A Senatorial District, where Vandeikya, Konshisha, Ushongo, and Kwande intersect in culture and commerce, UAST is poised to become a dynamic epicenter of knowledge and innovation.
Conceived as a transformative university, UAST rejects the notion of being a mere repository of age-old knowledge. It is crafted to be a vibrant forge where ideas meet practical application, and scholarship intertwines seamlessly with agriculture, technology, enterprise, research, and rural rejuvenation. This institution marries agriculture with cutting-edge science, technology with entrepreneurship, and research with tangible community impact.
Lecture halls here will not only impart theoretical knowledge about the land—they will lead students onto the fields, into state-of-the-art laboratories, entrepreneurial workshops, and bustling markets buzzing with innovation. The curriculum, rigorous and inspired, aligns with national standards while boldly harnessing Benue’s agricultural strengths to create competitive excellence across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.
UAST fosters a forward-thinking intellectual environment where students—from across Nigeria and eventually Africa—converge at Ihugh, bringing diverse ideas, cultures, and ambitions to enrich the academic and local community.
This university will radiate academic influence in three key ways: Scholarly Engagement through public lectures, symposia, and agricultural expos that unite policymakers, researchers, farmers, and entrepreneurs; Research Partnerships with local cooperatives and global agencies to develop technologies that can multiply productivity; and Human Capital Development, providing elite educational opportunities for the youth of Vandeikya, Konshisha, Ushongo, Kwande, and all of Benue, curbing educational migration and growing local expertise.
Under the visionary leadership of Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the establishment of UAST will energize the economy of Vandeikya and neighboring LGAs. Universities are economic catalysts, and UAST will generate wide-ranging demand—each new student and staff member boosting commerce as consumers, tenants, clients, and entrepreneurs.
The economic ripple effects will be extensive. The construction and infrastructure development required—hostels, lecture theatres, staff housing, roads, ICT networks, an international conference center, shopping and banking malls, greenhouses, and agro-processing facilities—will engage local contractors, artisans, and suppliers, stimulating growth in these sectors.
Moreover, commerce expansion will follow naturally, as markets swell with demand for essentials including food, apparel, educational materials, and technology services. This demand will spark the rise of new businesses and expansion of existing ones, enriching the local economy.
Employment opportunities will flourish as hundreds, potentially thousands, of jobs are created—from academic faculty and administrative roles to security, catering, and maintenance services. This broad spectrum of roles will contribute significantly to reducing unemployment in the region.
Agro-based industries will also thrive, leveraging the university’s research outputs and processing capabilities. New agro-processing plants, agritech startups, SciTech enterprises, engineering firms, health services, seed businesses, and bioresource ventures will find fertile ground to innovate and grow.
Socially, UAST will redefine the cultural fabric of Ihugh and its environs. Students from diverse ethnic and international backgrounds will cultivate a vibrant cosmopolitan community in this rural heartland. Ihugh will evolve into a flourishing knowledge city with enhanced healthcare, transportation, water and power infrastructure, and a thriving civic life.
Outreach programs will extend learning beyond campus gates through agricultural extension services, literacy campaigns, and community-centered innovations.
Benue, heralded as the Food Basket of the Nation, is now poised to become the nation’s Knowledge-Skills Basket. This university-led transformation will enhance Benue’s agricultural identity, opening doors to export-driven agribusiness, and attracting investment in precision agriculture, biotechnology, blue economy, and renewable energy.
A Legacy in the Making
As the founding Vice-Chancellor of UAST, I hold an unshakable conviction: this institution will not simply teach; it will transform lives and communities. It will not only graduate students; it will graduate solutions. When the orchards planted today yield their fruit, and when Benue’s farmers trade in global markets with crops refined in UAST laboratories, history will mark this as the dawn of a true renaissance.
From Ihugh to the entire Jechira Nation—encompassing Vandeikya and Konshisha—and extending through Ushongo, Kwande, and beyond the Katsina-Ala River, the harmonious rhythm of academic pursuit will blend with farming and commerce, heralding a vibrant future painted in the proud colors of Benue State’s University of Agriculture, Science and Technology.
Prof. Qrisstuberg Amua
Vice-Chancellor,
Benue State Government’s University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (UAST), Ihugh
Article sent by Correspondent Dooyum Naadzenga
