Year of Establishment with Brief History

The Department of Religion and Philosophy is one of the pioneer Departments that took off at the beginning of the university in 1992 with a pioneer Academic staff of four lecturers with Dr. J.S. Moti as the first Head of Department. The other academic staff included: S.D. Shishima, J. T. Kerker and A. S. Ahuah. At this humble beginning, the Department mounted two academic programmes: B. A. Religious Studies and B. A. Philosophy.

It was however merged with History Department and it became the Department of History, Religion and Philosophy with S. D. Shishima as the Head of the Religion and Philosophy section, while Dr. Yakubu Ochefu was the Head of the enlarged Department. At this time, the B. A. Philosophy programme was shelved due to poor staffing.

The B.A. Religion and Philosophy programme was later introduced and the B.A. Religious Studies programme suspended due to popular demand by the students. This programme is being run to date.

The Department was demerged in the year 2002 and S.D. Shishima was appointed the Head of Department. By the year 2004 Dr. J. T. Kerker became the third Head of Department. Dr. J. S. Moti was the Head of Department from 2007 to 2010. Prof. S. D. Shisima took his oath of office as the current Head of Department in January, 2011.

At present, the Department is offering the following programmes: B.A. Religion and Philosophy, B.A. Religious Studies, B.A. Philosophy, M.A. African-Christian Studies, and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Religious Studies with special emphasis in African Religion, Ethics and the New Testament. Efforts are on the way to introduce several additional programmes especially at the post-graduate level. The Department that started with less than 20 students and four Academic staff in 1993 now has more than 500 students and 28 Academic staff.

Names of past and Present HODs and year (tenure)

Dr. J. S. Moti - 1992 - 1997

Dr. S. D. Shishima - 2002 - 2004

Dr. J. T. Kerker - 2004 - 2007

Dr. J. S. Moti - 2007 - 2010

Prof. S. D. Shishima - 2011 - date

Programmes offered with admission requirements and course duration

(UTME, DE & PG)

Academic programmes in the department:–

(A) Undergraduate Programmes

(i) The Bachelor of Arts (B.A) Degree in Religion and Philosophy.

(ii) Bachelor of Arts (B.A) Degree in Religions Studies

(iii) Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Degree in Philosophy)

(B) Postgraduate Programmes:-

(i) Master of Arts (M.A) Religious Studies (African Christian Studies)

(ii) Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Religious Studies in
(a)African Traditional Religion
(b)Ethics
(c)New Testament

The Department of Religion and Philosophy offers the Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A) in Religion and Philosophy. The degree places emphasis on the academic content of Religion and Philosophy with a view to producing minds of a broad spectrum conducive to a pluralistic society such as Nigeria. The stress is on the content of major religious traditions in Nigeria, namely Christianity, Islam and African Religion. The programme does not represent any particular religion as sui-generic exclusivist system.

In the area of Philosophy, a foundation for those who want to do professional/academic philosophy is provided. Apart from the formation of critical minds, the programme will also serve as the basis to all learning, thus providing courses that will be of interest to other departments and disciplines as a way of encouraging an inter-disciplinary approach to studies.

Admission Requirements.

Admission requirements into the study programme of the Department are generally the same as for the entry into the Faculty of Arts, Benue State University. The Department admits two categories of students; those for a Four-year degree programme and those for a Three-year Degree Programme.

(a) 4-Year degree programme

Candidates for this category shall have a minimum entry requirements of five credits including English language, at the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), National Examination Council (NECO) or their equivalents. The examinations shall not be in more than two sittings with a satisfactory UME scores as shall be decided by the University.

(b) 3-year degree programme

Candidates for this category must possess the following qualifications;
(a)Five credit in General Certificate of Education, at least two of which must be in the Advanced level, including Christian religious knowledge. African Religion or its equivalent.
(b)A pass in two principal subjects in the National Certificate of Education (NCE) plus three subjects at a credit level in GCE including English language and a General paper.
(c)A three or two year diploma in Theology, Philosophy and Religious Studies recognized by the University, plus five credits at GCE O’Level including English

Aims and Objectives

As a Department of Religion and Philosophy of a university in a religious pluralistic society, it is the main objective of the Department to expose students to the various religions of the world, their origin, development, teaching and place in human development and their impact on the Nigerian society in particular. The Department also provides a solid foundation in philosophy, aimed at formation of a critical mind in readiness to grapple with reality in all facets of life.

The programme has in view products that go into teaching, administration and social work. It may also be steppingstone to further training for entry in ministry of the church.

The aims and objectives of the programme are as follows:
1.to train people with critical minds that shall be able to solve the problems facing the contemporary Nigerian society in particular and the entire world.
2.to train students for professional Religion/Philosophy and encourage interdisciplinary approach to Religious/Philosophies.
3.to inculcate the knowledge of Religion/Philosophy in students to help them live the truest life possible and a life of wisdom.
4.to train students for academic jobs and other jobs, and
5.to serve as a stepping ground for further and higher academic pursuits.

Academic Staff List

S/NO	NAME	QUALIFICATION		RANK	SPECIALIZATION
1	Prof. S.D. Shishima	B.A;M.A;Ph.D (Jos)		Professor	African Traditional Religion
2	Prof. A. Dzurgba	BA; (Nsuka)M.A.T.S.; (Chicago);Ph.D. (UNN)		Professor	Sociology of Religion
3	Dr. A. S. Ihuah	B.A.; (Jos),P.G.D.M.;(Jos) M.A.;Ph.D.;(Lagos).		Associate Professor	Philosophy of Science,Ethics & Language
4	Dr.J.S. Gbenda	N.C.E.; (K/Ala)B.A.;(Unical) M.A.; (UNN);Ph.D.(UNN)		Associate Professor	African Traditional Religion
5	Dr. Joseph T. Kerker	B.D.; (Rome); M.A.; (Jos);Ph.D. (Jos).		Senior Lecturer	Ethics (Religion)
6	Dr.E.O. Usue	Dip.Theo.;(Mkar) Th.M.;(USA);M.Th.;(South Africa);D.Min.;(USA) Ph.D.(South Africa)	Senior Lecturer		Biblical Studies (OT & ANE Studies) & Marriage and Family Counseling.
7	Dr. P.T. Ajiki	BD.; (Rome) M.A.; (PH); D.Min.(Ibadan)	Lecturer I		Moral Theology and World Religions
8	Dr. T. Akpen	B.A.; (USA); M.A.;(USA);Ph.D. (USA).	Lecturer I		Philosophy (Metaphysics).
9	Dr. J.P. Nietlong	B.D.;(Rome);M.A.; (USA);Ph.D.(USA).	Lecturer I		Philosophy
10	Dr. A.Z. Apenda	B.A.;(BSU Mkd);M.A.;(BSU Mkd);Ph.D. (Jos).	Lecturer I		African Traditional Religion
11	Mr. Victor T.Igbum	B.D.; (Jos); M.A. (BSU Mkd).	Lecturer I		Biblical Studies (NT)
12	Miss N.P. Waapela	N.C.E.(K/Ala);B.A.; M.A, (BSU,Mkd).	Lecturer I		African Traditional Religion
13	Mr. M. Benedict	B.A.; M.A.(Ibadan)	Lecturer I		Philosophy (Epistemology)
14	Dr. A.A. Ejeh	B.D.; (Rome)M.A.;(New York)M.A.;(USA)Ph.D.(USA)	Lecturer II		Systematic Theology and Philosophy
15	Mr. T.D. Anyam	B.A.; M.A.(BSU Mkd)	Lecturer II		Ethics (Religion)
16	Mr. T.K. Anjov	B.A.;M.A.(Mkar)	Lecturer II		Ethics (Religion)
17	Rev. I. Iorjaah	B.Th.; M.Th.;(Mkar) M.A. (Calabar)	Lecturer II		Biblical Studies (NT)
18	Mr. Z.M. Nor	B.A.;M.A. (Lagos)	Lecturer II		Philosophy (Metaphysics)
19	Mr. T. Afella	B.A.; (Jos)M.A.(BSU Mkd)	Lecturer II		African Traditional Religion
20	Mr. A. Adega	B.A.; M.A.(BSU Mkd)	Lecturer II		African Traditional Religion
21	Mr. R.I. Katsina	B.A.; (BSU Mkd); M.A. (Nsukka)	Lecturer II		Philosophy
22	Mr. O. Agundu	B.A.; (BSU Mkd) M.A.;M.A.	Assistant Lecturer		Social & Political Philosophy
23	Mrs. F.S. Jando	B.A;M.A.;NCE (K/Ala)	Assistant Lecturer		Church History
24	Mrs. C.K. Gemade	B.A.;PGDE.;PGDM.;M.A.	Assistant Lecturer		Church History
25	Mrs. Dorathy Afaor	N.C.E (K/Ala).;B.A.; M.A. (BSU Mkd)	Assistant Lecturer		African Traditional Religion
26	Mrs Saluun P. Mwuese	B.A.;M.A.(BSU Mkd)	Assistant Lecturer		Ethics (Religion)

27	Mr. Shenge I Mark	M.A.;B.A.	Graduate Assistant	philosophy
28	Mr. Inja Terzungwe	B.A.;Dip.in Law.	Graduate Assistant	Religion
Non-Tenured or Part Time Academic Staff
S/NO	NAME	QUALIFICATIONS	RANK	SPECIALIZATION
1	Dr. Godwin N. Toryough	B.A.;M.A.;Ph.D.	Sabbatical Lecturer I	New Testament
2	Dr. O. Fashima	Ph.D.	Sabbatical Senior lecturer	philosophy
Non-Academic Staff
1	Mr. Edwin A. Adedzwa	Basic Clerical Cert.; Cert.in Computer Science	Senior Typist II	Typist
2	Mrs. Comfort Z. Ateata	GCE/WASC;A.E.O.;Dip.in Marketing	Clerical Officer	Clerical Officer
3	Mr. Vincent Sende	GCE/WASC.;Cert.in Clerical Duties & Social Welfare; Dip.in Personnel Management	Caretaker/Office Assistant	Caretaker/Office Assistant

Departmental Journals

The Department has four journals which are published annually. The journals publish highly researched articles in the area of culture especially as it relates to religion and philosophy in Traditional African Society. These include: SWEM: Journal of Religion and Philosophy, ATE: Journal of African Religion and Culture and LOSI: African Journal of Local Societies Initiatives and ORCHE-UMA: Journal of Existential Philosophy.

Achievements

The Department of Religion and Philosophy which took off at the beginning of the University in 1992 with four academic staff and less than 20 students now has over 700 students and about 28 academic staff. The Department has hosted several Academic Conferences both National and International. Also the Department has published a Research Report in African Religion undertaken in Benue State. The Book is entitled “The Traditional Religions of the Benue People” A Research Report in the Department houses four Academic Journals. Again, efforts are in top gear to introduce new Academic Programmes at the Postgraduate level in Religion and Philosophy.