The Academic Planning Unit (APU) was set up in 1993 with Professor Josiah A. Shindi as Acting Director. He handed over to Professor James O.I Ayatse in 1994. Thus, Professor Ayatse became the first substantive Director of Academic Planning. Having held this office for six years (1994-2000), Professor Ayatse handed over to Professor Bimaje Akpa in 2000. Professor Akpa held this office till 2010 and did a lot to put the Unit on a sound footing by building on the foundation laid by his predecessors. The present Director of Academic Planning, Professor Joel O. Eriba came into office in January, 2011 as the 4th Director of Academic Planning, Benue State University. Who is Professor Joel O. Eriba and what is his pedigree? The attached resume speaks of this academic icon.

STRUCTURE OF THE ACADEMIC UNIT

The Academic Planning Unit is located at the Vice-Chancellor’s office and is charged with the responsibility of co-ordinating academic activities of the University and frequently liaising with the National Universities Commission (NUC) on behalf of the University. The Director of Academic Planning (DAP) is currently a member of 8 out of 10 Standing Committees of Senate and other committees of the University. The functions of the Academic Planning Unit are as follows:

a. The Unit keeps custody of all academic policies as approved by NUC for Nigerian Universities.
b. It advises Senate on all academic matters brought before it.
c. It liaises with departments to prepare academic programme (s) for accreditation and re-accreditation.
d. The unit furnishes Senate from time to time with information on the minimum academic requirements for all academic programmes of the University.
e. It provides vital statistical information to NUC on the University such as:
- Student headcount
- Staff-student ratio/Pyramidal structure
- Gender distribution (Staff and students)
- Full time Equivalent (FTE)
- Carrying capacity etc
f. It prepares for Senate consideration, academic calendar for each semester/session.
g. It prepares groundwork for department(s) desiring to introduce new academic programme or review existing ones.
h. It provides secretarial services to the Academic Planning Committee.