CITATION OF ENGR. PROF.  JOSEPH TERLUMUN UTSEV FNSE, FNICE, FNIWE, FICEN, FIIA

Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev is currently Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation. He is a renowned Professor of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Politician, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Administrator of great repute and hails from Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.

EDUCATION

Engr. Prof. Utsev holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Civil Engineering from the then Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State. He graduated as the overall best student in 2004 with Second 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.

The distinguished engineering scholar is an alumnus of the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he bagged both a Master’s and Ph.D. Degrees in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering in 2007 and 2011 respectively.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Upon completion of his NYSC, He was retained as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, in 2006 where he rose through the ranks to become Professor of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering in 2021.

Due to his love and passion for excellence, the amiable administrator, Utsev, was appointed Deputy Director and later confirmed as substantive Director in the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, from 2013 – 2017. While serving as Director, he facilitated the establishment of Seven (7) entrepreneurship skills acquisition centres for human capital development and revenue generation.

In March 2017, Prof. Utsev was appointed as Honourable Commissioner, in charge of the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment, Benue State, in recognition of his hard work and dedication to the growth of the Engineering profession and society at large. While serving as commissioner, one of his notable achievements was the completion of the long-abandoned Idye Basin Flood and Erosion Control Project in Makurdi, Benue state, which has significantly reduced the perennial flash floods experienced by residents of the basin.

In 2020, he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the Executive Director, Engineering, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, Makurdi, Benue State. Here in his usual manner, the erudite scholar and management expert initiated and administered the design and construction of several irrigation and water supply infrastructure in the catchment area of the authority in line with the mandate and vision of the Buhari-led administration.

In recognition of his hard work and commitment to the ideas of nation building, President Muhammadu Buhari again in 2021 appointed him as the pioneer Rector, Federal Polytechnic Wannune – Benue State where he brought his engineering prowess to bear by willingly  initiating, leading and coordinating the designs and construction of modern office blocks, Lecture theatres, access roads and walkways, workshops and laboratories, hostels, water, and electricity infrastructure among others projects within a very short time. This was instrumental to the swift take-off of academic and management activities in the infant institution.

In a like manner, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2023, swore him in as the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation. Prof. Utsev in his usual disposition has already hit the ground running by conducting facility assessment of parastatals and agencies under his Ministry with a view to repositioning them for effectiveness, especially in ensuring food security, revenue, and employment generation in the country.

He has successfully, supervised many undergraduate and postgraduate research and has also attended many professional conferences and workshops across Nigeria, Africa, the United States of America, United Kingdom, among others.

AWARDS/HONOURS

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

• Award of Excellence. Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Alumni Association -Campus Branch. 2023
• Award of Excellence for Contribution to Automotive Industry in Benue/Nigeria at Large. Automotive and Locomotive Engineers Institute. 2023
• Best Commissioner in the Water/Environmental Sector in Nigeria. Nigerian Independent Assessors. 2018
• Best Graduating Student. Civil Engineering Department.
• Most Resourceful Lecturer. Nigerian Universities Engineering Students Association, FUAM Chapter.
• Distinguished Merit Award. Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Alumni Association – Campus Chapter. 2018
• Academic Noble Award. Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria.
• Distinguished Merit Award for Water Resources Engineering Infrastructural Development, The Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers, Makurdi Chapter. 2018
• Award for Effective Service Delivery and Open Door Policy. Jemgbagh Media Forum.
• Jemgbagh Youth Ambassador. Jemgbagh Students Association.
• Onov Mba CWO Mba Tavershima. Catholic Women Organization, St. Joseph’s Parish, Akpehe, Makurdi.
• Vessel of Perseverance. FYB Forum, Catholic Chaplaincy, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
• 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 in 2016.
• Award for Effective Service Delivery and Open Door Policy by the Jemgbagh Media Forum – 2018.
• Distinguished Merit Award for Water Resources Engineering Infrastructural Development – 2018.
• Appreciation by ACE Events management, UK, for support at the 2017 Edition of Water Africa and West Africa Building & Construction.

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES

Engr. Prof. Terlumun Utsev is a Registered Civil Engineer by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). He is also a:

• Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers,
• Fellow, Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers,
• Fellow, Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers,
• Fellow, Automobile and Locomotive Engineers Institute.
• 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 is the immediate past Chairman of the Makurdi Branch of the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers and is currently the National Ex-Officio of the Institution.

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