A Distinguished Engineer, Industrial Administrator, Public Servant and Statesman
EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY BACKGROUND
Engr. Tachia Jooji was born on 27th August 1946 into the family of Orchivigh Jooji Andyar and Mrs. Martha Kpenteman Jooji (née Luga).
His father, Orchivigh Jooji Andyar, hailed from the renowned Akwaya family of Kunav in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, while his mother, Mrs. Martha Kpenteman Jooji, was from the Atirkyese Kindred of Ukan, Ushongo Local Government Area, Benue State.
From an early age, young Tachia demonstrated a commitment to education, discipline and personal development. His formal education began in 1954 at DRCM Primary School, now known as SUM Primary School, Mbaakon.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Engr. Tachia Jooji’s educational journey spanned some of the most respected institutions of his time.
1. Primary Education (1954–1959)
He commenced his primary education in 1954 at DRCM (now SUM) Primary School, Mbaakon, where he successfully completed his studies in 1959. He also passed the Secondary School Entrance Examination while in Primary Six.
He gained admission into the prestigious Titcombe College, Egbe, where he pursued his secondary education and successfully obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC).
3. Higher School Certificate (January 1965–December 1966)
Following his secondary education, he remained at Titcombe College, Egbe, for his Higher School Certificate (HSC) programme, specialising in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics.
4. University Education (September 1967–June 1970)
In pursuit of his ambition to become an engineer, he gained admission into the renowned Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he studied Mechanical Engineering.
He graduated in June 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering), marking the beginning of an illustrious career in engineering and industrial management.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER AND WORK EXPERIENCE
1. Early Professional Career: Gold and Base Metal Mines Ltd., Jos (June 1970–January 1972)
Immediately after graduation, Engr. Tachia Jooji commenced his professional career with Gold and Base Metal Mines Ltd., Jos, where he was employed as a Trainee Engineer.
During this period, he undertook his pupil engineering training, gaining valuable practical experience and laying a solid foundation for his subsequent career in engineering and industrial administration.
2. Service under the Former Benue-Plateau State Government (January 1972–September 1975)
In January 1972, Engr. Tachia Jooji joined the Civil Service of the former Benue-Plateau State.
His first posting was to the Jos City Water Board, where he contributed to the provision and management of water supply services to the city, before the construction of the major water dams.
He was subsequently posted as Mechanical Engineer II and placed in charge of the State Central Mechanical Workshop. In this capacity, he was responsible for the maintenance and servicing of the state’s fleet of vehicles and ferries.
His responsibilities demanded considerable technical competence, administrative ability and a strong commitment to public service.
3. Advanced Engineering and Management Training in the United Kingdom (June 1975–July 1977)
Recognising his professional potential and the importance of specialised technical training, Engr. Tachia Jooji was selected for advanced training in the United Kingdom under the UK Technical Aid Training Programme.
The programme exposed him to advanced engineering practices, industrial technology, management principles and specialised technical operations.
His training covered the following areas:
Maintenance of Heavy Earthmoving Machines: Bowmaker Plant Ltd., Kinnock, June–December 1975.
Engineering Design and Manufacture: Rugby Polytechnic, December 1975–May 1976.
Instrumentation and Automation: London, September–October 1976.
Highway Construction Techniques: Cardiff, November–December 1976.
Agricultural Machinery Maintenance: Caistor, December 1976.
Fluid Power Engineering: University of Bath, January–July 1977.
This international training broadened his technical expertise and equipped him with the knowledge and managerial skills required for higher responsibilities in engineering, industrial operations and public administration.
4. Service under the Benue State Government (1977–1980)
Following the creation of Benue State out of the former Benue-Plateau State, Engr. Tachia Jooji continued his public service career with the new state government.
He returned from his UK training and resumed duty in Benue State as a Principal Mechanical Engineer.
Between 1978 and 1980, he rose to the position of Chief Mechanical Engineer in the Ministry of Works, Benue State.
His appointment reflected his growing professional experience, technical competence and leadership capacity.
5. Service with Delta Steel Company, Aladja (March 1980–September 1990)
One of the most significant chapters of Engr. Tachia Jooji’s professional career was his decade-long service with Delta Steel Company (DSC), Aladja, Delta State.
He joined the company in March 1980 as Deputy General Manager, Technical Services, and subsequently rose through the ranks to become its substantive General Manager and Chief Executive Officer.
His service at Delta Steel Company included the following major appointments and responsibilities:
a. Deputy General Manager, Technical Services
As Deputy General Manager, Technical Services, he headed the company’s engineering services and played a major role in overseeing the technical aspects of the construction of the steel plant.
He was involved in coordinating and supervising the engineering and construction activities undertaken by the consortium of German engineers and technicians responsible for the establishment of the plant.
His responsibilities also extended to the construction of residential accommodation and other township facilities for the company’s workforce.
He continued to provide technical and managerial oversight until the construction of the steel plant was completed and the facility commissioned.
b. Deputy General Manager, Production (March 1982–February 1984)
Following his successful service in Technical Services, Engr. Jooji was redeployed to the production division as Deputy General Manager, Production.
In this position, he assumed responsibility for an important aspect of the company’s core operations: steel production.
He discharged his responsibilities creditably, bringing his engineering background and practical industrial experience to bear on the company’s production activities.
c. Acting General Manager/Chief Executive Officer (February 1984–January 1986)
In recognition of his professional competence and leadership qualities, he was appointed Acting General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Delta Steel Company in February 1984.
This appointment marked a major milestone in his career, placing him at the helm of one of Nigeria’s strategic industrial enterprises.
d. Substantive General Manager/Chief Executive Officer (January 1986–September 1990)
In January 1986, the Federal Government of Nigeria confirmed his appointment as the substantive General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Delta Steel Company.
As the chief executive of the company, he provided leadership and strategic direction at a critical stage in the development of Nigeria’s steel industry.
He voluntarily retired from the services of Delta Steel Company, Aladja, in September 1990, bringing to a close ten years of distinguished service.
SPECIALISED TRAINING IN STEEL TECHNOLOGY
In addition to his extensive engineering and management training, Engr. Tachia Jooji undertook several specialised international programmes in steel technology and integrated steel plant management.
These programmes exposed him to international best practices in steel production, plant operations, industrial management and iron ore processing.
A. Introductory Courses in Steel Technology (March 1981)
He participated in specialised introductory courses and technical visits to the following steel establishments:
Concast AG, Zurich, Switzerland.
Van Moss Steel Works, Lucerne, Switzerland.
Isa Stefano Steel Works, Milan, Italy.
Settimo Steel Works, Turin, Italy.
Torcas Steel Works, Barcelona, Spain.
Del Besos Steel Works, Barcelona, Spain.
B. Senior Management Courses for Integrated Steel Plants
His advanced professional training in integrated steel plant management included:
Trainee Training Programme: Linz, Austria, June 1981.
Iron Ore Handling: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 1982.
Trainee Training Programme: Ranchi, India, November 1982.
These international programmes further strengthened his knowledge of integrated steel production systems and the technical and managerial demands of large-scale industrial operations.
INTERNATIONAL SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES
As a leading Nigerian engineering and steel industry professional, Engr. Tachia Jooji participated in several international conferences and seminars, where he contributed to discussions on steel technology, industrial development and the challenges facing steel-producing nations.
His participation included:
1. European Electric Arc Furnaces Conference, Aachen, West Germany – June 1983
He presented a paper titled “Electric Arc Furnace in DSC, Aladja, Nigeria.”
2. Asian Steel Conference, New Delhi, India – May 1984
He presented a paper on “Steel Technology in Nigeria.”
3. International Iron and Steel Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – October 1986
He presented a paper titled “Problems and Prospects of Steel Production in the Developing World: The DSC Aladja Example.”
4. International Iron and Steel Institute Conference, Washington, D.C., USA – October 1987
5. International Iron and Steel Institute Conference, Berlin, West Germany – October 1989
6. Iron Ore Conference, Belo Horizonte, Brazil – May 1990
He presented a paper on “Elements of Steel Production in Nigeria.”
7. National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Nigeria – May 1990
He presented a paper titled “The Economics of Steel Production in Nigeria.”
8. International Iron and Steel Institute Conference, Sydney, Australia – October 1990
His participation in these international engagements demonstrated his professional standing and his commitment to advancing knowledge and contributing to the development of Nigeria’s steel industry.
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS, HONOURS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Throughout his professional career, Engr. Tachia Jooji received several awards, fellowships, professional recognitions and certificates in acknowledgement of his contributions to engineering, industrial development, leadership and public service.
His recognitions include:
Member, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) – February 1984.
Fellow, American Businessmen Executives (FABE) – June 1987.
Honorary Fellow, Nigerian Metallurgical Society (FNMS) – November 1988.
Merit Award, Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSAN).
Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) – November 1989.
Certificate of Achievement, National Assembly and United States Agency for International Development (NASS/USAID) – April 1999.
Fellow, Institute of Corporate Executives of Nigeria (FICEN) – November 2002.
Distinguished Merit Award for Excellence, Institute of Corporate Executives of Nigeria (ICEN) – November 2002.
Atonko u NKST Church, Ikyowase – June 2026.
These honours reflect the breadth of his professional accomplishments and the recognition he earned across engineering, industry, administration and community service.
PUBLIC SERVICE AND SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS
Beyond his distinguished career in engineering and industrial management, Engr. Tachia Jooji also made significant contributions to national development and democratic governance.
1. Member, Federal House of Representatives, National Assembly (April 1999–March 2003)
In 1999, the people of Jechira Federal Constituency entrusted Engr. Tachia Jooji with the responsibility of representing them in the Federal House of Representatives, National Assembly.
He served from April 1999 to March 2003, bringing his wealth of experience in engineering, industrial management and public administration to the legislative process.
During his tenure, he held the following positions:
Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Defence.
Member, House Committee on Science and Technology.
Member, House Committee on Iron and Steel.
Member, House Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development.
Member, Ad Hoc Committee on Petroleum Development.
Member, ECOWAS Parliament (2002–2003).
His legislative responsibilities provided him with an opportunity to contribute to national policy discussions, particularly in the areas of defence, science and technology, industrial development, petroleum and regional cooperation.
2. Chairman, Cross River Limestone Ltd. (1984–1990)
He served as Chairman of Cross River Limestone Ltd. between 1984 and 1990, contributing his experience in engineering and industrial administration to the company’s leadership.
3. Member, Federal Government Task Force on Simple Transportation Systems for Rural Areas (1987)
In 1987, he was appointed a member of the Federal Government Task Force on Simple Transportation Systems for Rural Areas.
This assignment reflected his involvement in initiatives aimed at addressing infrastructure and transportation challenges in rural communities.
4. Member, Benue State Committee on Ailing8 Industries (1992)
In 1992, he served as a member of the Benue State Committee on Ailing Industries, contributing his industrial and managerial experience to efforts aimed at addressing the challenges confronting struggling industries in the state.
Between 1992 and 1998, Engr. Tachia Jooji served as Chairman of Agro Millers Ltd., Makurdi.
His involvement in the agricultural processing sector further demonstrated the breadth of his interests in industrial and economic development.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND TRADITIONAL RECOGNITION
Beyond his achievements in engineering, industry and public service, Engr. Tachia Jooji has maintained a strong commitment to community development and the welfare of the people.
His dedication to supporting local communities around Delta Steel Company, Aladja, earned him special recognition from the traditional institution of Ughelli Kingdom.
In appreciation of his contributions to community development, the Paramount Ruler of Ughelli Kingdom conferred on him the distinguished traditional title of Aghwerhucwurhe R’Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, meaning “The Developer of Ughelli Kingdom.”
This traditional honour stands as a testament to the impact of his community-oriented leadership and his concern for the development of the people beyond his immediate professional responsibilities.
CONTRIBUTION TO TIV LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION
In addition to his achievements in engineering, industrial administration and public service, Engr. Tachia Jooji has demonstrated an enduring interest in the preservation and documentation of Tiv language and culture.
He is the author of a manuscript titled MODERN TIV–ENGLISH DICTIONARY, a work that is yet to be published.
This intellectual undertaking reflects his desire to contribute to the preservation, development and wider appreciation of the Tiv language for present and future generations.
SERVICE, LEADERSHIP AND ACHIEVEMENT
The life and career of Engr. Tachia Jooji represent a remarkable journey of education, professional excellence, industrial leadership, public service and community development.
From his humble beginnings at Mbaakon to his academic training at Titcombe College, Egbe, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he steadily built a career distinguished by technical expertise, international exposure and leadership.
His contributions to the establishment and management of Delta Steel Company, particularly his eventual emergence as its substantive General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, remain among the defining highlights of his professional journey.
His subsequent service in the Federal House of Representatives, together with his involvement in various government committees and corporate institutions, further demonstrates his commitment to national development.
ENGR. TACHIA JOOJI
Beyond titles, offices and professional honours, his interest in community advancement and the preservation of Tiv language and culture adds anotherj important dimension to his legacy.
Engr. Tachia Jooji stands as a distinguished son of Benue State whose life reflects the enduring values of education, hard work, professional dedication, leadership and service to humanity.
