Senator Joseph Kennedy Nyikwagh Waku, popularly known as J.K.N. Waku, was a Nigerian politician, businessman and public relations practitioner from Benue State. He represented Benue North-West Senatorial District in the Senate from 1999 to 2003. He later served as Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), until his death in February 2019. He was known as an outspoken voice on governance, leadership and the interests of Benue State and the Middle Belt.

Early Life and Education

Waku was born on 12 June 1946 in Waku Village, Uvir, in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. He was raised in a Tiv cultural environment, which shaped his identity and his lifelong connection to his people.

His early education began at Obi Primary School, in what is now Nasarawa State. Access to schooling was limited for many rural children at the time, and family challenges interrupted his studies. He later pursued further education and management training, including studies at the London School of Management. Before turning fully to politics, he worked as a clerk in the Nigerian military.

Political Career

Waku’s political career developed over several decades.

• 1979: He served the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) as Director of Research and Publicity.
• 1980: He became a board member of Plateau Publishing Company.
• 1983: He was elected to the Benue State House of Assembly.
• 1999 to 2003: He represented Benue North-West Senatorial District in the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), taking office on 29 May 1999 in the early years of the Fourth Republic.

He also chaired the Benue State Council for Arts and Culture. After the Senate he became active in the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), where he served as Vice Chairman. He later joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), but remained a supporter of PDP Governor Samuel Ortom and criticised parties and governments, including his own, when he disagreed with them.

An Outspoken Voice

Waku was known for blunt public positions. He opposed the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo during his Senate years. Later, he spoke out against open grazing routes in Benue State and favoured ranching. He also condemned herdsmen attacks in the North Central region.

Supporters saw him as a courageous and independent voice. Critics sometimes questioned his approach and the effect of his public statements.

Business and Professional Life

Waku was Chairman and Chief Executive of BertCo Group of Companies (Bertco Nigeria Limited), Makurdi. He was also active in the public relations profession as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR) and a member of the Institute of Public Relations.

Traditional Titles

He held the Tiv title Wam Begha U Tiv (“Son of a Lion”) and an Igbo title in Umuzike Town, Anambra State, reflecting his ties to communities beyond his own.

Pro-Chancellor of FUTA

President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Waku Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of FUTA on 9 May 2017. He took over during a seven-month crisis at the university. The FUTA Vice-Chancellor credited him with stabilising the institution and with helping to ensure the smooth appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape. He also started a commercial farming project on 15 hectares of university land to raise internally generated income and help train nearby farmers, and he began work on a centre of excellence in bitumen exploration.

Death and Legacy

Waku died on 3 February 2019, aged 72, in Abuja. After his death FUTA renamed its Postgraduate Hall the Joseph Waku Postgraduate Hall in his honour.