Prof. Naomi Nari James-Rugu is a most dedicated and resourceful academic. These several years, she has made monumental contributions to research and teaching at the prestigious University of Jos.

A seasoned Professor of Zoology, she has performed creditably in whatever administrative role the university has assigned to her. Indeed, she has remained an asset of inestimable value to the institution.

Naomi Nari James-Rugu was born on 25th April, 1961. She attended both Primary and Secondary Schools in Jos.  In furtherance of her education, she went to the University of Jos at different times where she obtained a B. Sc. in Zoology in 1982, M. Sc. in Applied Entomology and Parasitology in 1985 and a Ph. D. in Applied Entomology in 1990 barely two (2) months to age 29 years. Her performance was so outstanding that the Board of School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) of the University of Jos scored her excellent. It is important to note that, this is the highest score ever standing record for any M. Phil/Ph. D student recorded by the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) Board.

While on her Ph. D Programme, she was engaged in part-time teaching in Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna and in two (2) Secondary Schools in Plateau State. She joined the services of the University of Jos as Lecturer II on 5th May, 1988. She rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2003 at age 42 years. This placed Naomi as the second female Professor from Plateau State, the first Indigenous Professor of Zoology, the third professor and the first female Professor from Bassa Local Government Area and the first Professor from Irigwe Chiefdom (Panden, 2022). It is on record that this Scholar is amongst the most Senior Professors in the Faculty of Natural Sciences and  University of Jos. Her specialization is in Applied Entomology and Parasitology.

Prof. James-Rugu is a responsible, cool headed, cheerful, jovial, honest, vibrant, motherly, patient, assertive, friendly, proficient, amiable, approachable, reliable, dependable, generous, honest, focused, industrious, a worthy workaholic, principled individual and an amazon. Furthermore, she is a dynamic leader and a great encourage. She is full of competence and courage. She exercises a high spirit of teamwork. She is gentle orator who is audible, clear, precise and attention catching. More importantly, she is mentally, physically and emotionally stable. She is academically sound, her performance has earned her commendations and accolades amongst staff, students and those who have come across her.

Due to hard work, reliability, assertiveness, commitment and her track record, this icon won the admiration of Past Vice-chancellors where she represented the University of Jos at different Fora in the Country from 1998 to 2016.

Apart from the above, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Jos, Plateau State in collaboration with EPPIC Foundation Jos in their book titled “Women on the Plateau Gold Award” described Prof. Naomi Nari James-Rugu (Nee Audu Tanwia) as “this eminent scholar, foremost academician, erudite, sage and amazon has perhaps the tallest and most intimidating pedigree touching on the likes of legendary Ali Mazrui, Margaret Thatcher or Golda Meir. According to them “Prof. James-Rugu is without doubt, among the most shining entity of her niche whose life has touched on countless youths in the Institutions of higher learning as well as adults and even children in all walks of life”. Furthermore, they revealed that “Naomi carried the seed of greatness from birth and she started at a very early stage to position herself for excellence. They described her as a young, dynamic, very studious and courageous individual. They noted that, “within eigth (8) short years, Naomi blazed through to obtain her Masters degree and Ph. D, a fit uncommon among even the most brilliant male folks”.

According to the two bodies, “Professor Naomi’s education, exposure and experience cannot easily be encapsulated in this profile because they are far too big to be carried on a breakfast tray”.

A book titled “History and Impact of education in Plateau State” by Panden (2022) described Prof. James – Rugu as a blessing to education and humanity. He noted that her multi-disciplinary and in-depth knowledge dynamic administrative skills, physical and mental toughness, workability, assertiveness, ability to approach issues and situations can only be compared to that of counselors, guardian, soldier, soldiers or General generals. According to him, “she is a complete definition of a round peg in a round hole. An all-time teacher, researcher, initiator of ideas, mentor, youths and women emancipator, peace and social justice advocate, game changer and real “citizen” in the Greek definition of citizen”.

This scholar served as the Deputy Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Jos from 1998-2000. She is the first female ever to serve in that capacity. As Deputy Dean, she chaired some Ph. D. Examinations. It should be noted that she served as the Acting Dean in the absence of the Dean. Further to this, she presented Postgraduate Matters at Appointments and promotions Committee (A & PC) and the Senate. She also served as Chairman of Postgraduate Admissions between 1998 and 2000. It is interesting to note that Prof. James-Rugu developed the Strategic Plan of the School for Several academic sessions. When the non-academic Staff were on strike, this personality served as an Ad hoc Secretary of the School of Postgraduate Studies. The board of the School was impressed with her zeal and commitment. It therefore commended her for the constructively detailed assignments carried out by her. This personality was also able to resuscitate the Postgraduate Open Lectures.

Additionally, she served as the Deputy Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences from 2003-2005. She was the Chairman of Admissions Committee for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes. She represented the Dean at the Central Admissions Committee chaired by the Vice-Chancellor. She also served as the Faculty Representative in Senate. It’s on record that she’s the first female to serve in that capacity. Furthermore, she was the Director of Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) from 2012-2016. She was the first female Professor to also serve in this position. It is a well-known fact that the former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hayward B. Mafuyai was impressed with her performance and rated her as the Most Active Director in the University of Jos (2012-2016). As a good and focused administrator, she designed various SIWES Instruments (SIs) which were used for the administration of SIWES. This action facilitated the day to day running of SIWES processes. The ITF at various times commended her for the good work.

The Vice-Chancellor then, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai noted that Prof. James-Rugu discharged “her responsibilities and assignments creditably. She has introduced novel ideas in the SIWES Programme for which she’s commended and urged to keep it up. Furthermore, he stated that “She has worked very hard and raised the profile of the University to enviable heights through the publication and documentation of SIWES processes and activities such that these here become reference materials for other institutions.”

Furthermore, she introduced a forum tagged “SIWES Awareness Forum” (SAF) for prospective Students. She successfully held the first, second and third SIWES Awareness Forum (SAF). Also to her credit, she designed the third (3rd) Edition of the Logbook of the University of Jos (978-978-52240-3-0). The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Jos Area Manager, Mrs. Lami Dakwak appreciated and commended the Director for her efforts. She therefore advised and encouraged other Directors/Coordinators of the Institution to emulate her.

She also got the approval of the Vice-Chancellor on SIWES Familiarization Tour to Employers of Labour by the Director of SIWES (SFTEL), Supervision of SIWES Students (SSs) on Industrial Training (IT) by Senior Staff in the SIWES Directorate (SD) and Remuneration of ITF Staff on Verification Exercise (VE) of Graded Logbook (GLBs) in the University.  In order to enhance the SIWES Students performance, Prof. James-Rugu created SIWES Directorate Library (SDL) various categories of SIWES Students (SSs) consulted various Graded Logbooks (GLBs), verified Graded Logbooks, Technical Reports (TRs) and other SIWES Handbooks/Magazines. Under her leadership, the University of Jos sponsored the third (3rd) quarter of SIWES Zonal meeting of Directors/Coordinators held on 10th September, 2015.

Prof. James-Rugu teaches very well, possesses the pedagogical skills such that she excites her students so stupendously that they describe her as a teacher per excellence and the Mother of Zoology. She has participated in probono teaching of Agricultural Entomology in the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Jos for two (2) academic sessions (2016/2017 and 2017/2018 sessions). She has successfully supervised projects of many Undergraduate and Post graduate Students. External Examiners have commended her for her meticulous commitment in supervision. It is an undeniable fact that her Project Students often score higher marks than their counterparts. For the moment, she is supervising five (5) Ph. D. Students. Additionally, she has supervised dozens of M. Sc. Seminar Write-ups in the area of Applied Entomology and Parasitology. As the Departmental SIWES Coordinator for over 16 years, she has supervised over one hundred and fifty Logbooks and Technical Reports.

Prof. James-Rugu is the initiator of Journal of Pest, Disease and Vector Management. She has published widely in reputable Local and International Journals. Her contributions can easily be accessed in various Journals, Google Scholar, Research Gate and www.nnjamesrugu.com In addition to this, she has contributed in a Book Chapter in an international book tagged “Cutting Edge Research in Agricultural Sciences”

http://www.bookpi.org/bookstore/product/cutting–edgeresearch–inagriculturalscience–vol–11/. 

Prof. James-Rugu has served as External Examiner to the University of Abuja, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Veritas University, Abuja. She has also chaired Ph. D Examinations in some of these Institutions.

Some of the positive virtues endowed in her have no doubt impacted positively in the lives of her students. It is in recognition of this that some Awards have been conferred on her by some Non-Governmental Organizations, including African Woman of Virtue Gold Award (AWOVGA), Woman of Merit Gold Award (WMGA), Meritorious Diamond Award (MEDA) and Development in Nigeria Award (DINMA), Distinguished Woman on the Plateau Gold Award, Icon of Discipline, Excellence and hard work, ( www.nnjamesrugu.com). Some of the Awards from the Students include Best Female Lecturer, Most Motherly Lecturer, Most Functional, Most Jovial Female Lecturer, Friendliest Lecturer, in the transformation of SIWES and Nation Builder Award. There are other Awards conferred on her by Associations and Communities

( www.nnjamesrugu.com and Panden, 2022).

In 2015/2016, Tertiary Institutions Nigerian Students described Prof. JamesRugu as an academic giant who has made stupendous and conspicuous contributions through research, creativity and high level of thinking. Furthermore, she was rated as the most outstanding and one of the amiable personalities in the University of Jos. And her transparent leadership was worthy of note. Additionally, the Body conferred her with a Merit Award as the best performed Director of SIWES in the history of the Institution.

In August 2017, the Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES) Jos Zone presented to this scholar a Medal and Student Ministry Ambassador Award. This was in recognition of her investment in Students as a “Christian Worker on Campus”.

It is pertinent to state that this icon is the Grand patron of the Club tagged “Friends of the Zoo”. Because of her contribution to the growth and development of the National Zoological Garden Jos (NZGJ), the management presented to her on 3rd March, 2025, a “Certificate of Appreciation”.

Prof. N. N. James-Rugu delivered a Keynote Lecture organized by National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) held on 5th October, 2021 at the Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, Kogi State. She emphasized that “Education is the bedrock of human development”, urging students to adhere to institutional rules and regulations. She highlighted the detrimental effects of exam-malpractice. In like manner, she advocated for assigning student mentors/ advisers to guide new students, shaping their character and focus aligning with the institutions’ vision.

On the 4th April, 2025 the Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies, University of Jos celebrated Women Achievers’ Day. Prof. James-Rugu was amongst the four (4) Professors who were conferred with a “Legacy of Excellence Award”, this was for Professors who have served the University of Jos for over thirty (30) years and have attained the status of Professorship for over twenty (20) years.

This erudite Professor is a detribalized personality, who has secured admissions and sponsored some Nigerian Youths to Secondary Schools, Polytechnics, Universities, Seminaries, Theological Colleges including Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes.

She has selflessly mentored academic staff and a large number of Students who today occupy different strata of the Nigerian economy. This notable personality has served as either Chairman, Secretary or Member of different Committees in the University of Jos, Associations and different Tribal Communities.

Similarly, she has assessed some Lecturers to the rank of Readership/Associate Professorship and Professorship in the University of Jos and other Universities. She is commonly referred to as Professor of Professors and Mother of Professors.

Prof. James-Rugu was one of the members of the Research Team from the University of Jos that embarked on a Joint Study on SIWES titled “An evaluation of the impact of Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) on Technical Skills development in Nigeria” with Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in 2011 (ISBN: 978-32985-8-6/ITF website). It is worth noting that she served as a Facilitatotr during the Training of Field Assistants and State Coordinators Workshop held along the Bukuru Road, Plateau State  at the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Centre of Excellence. To the glory of God, her presentation was considered the overall best, while on the field of the SIWES Research, Prof. James-Rugu served as a Research Zonal Coordinator in the North Central Geopolitical zone.

This individual has served as Chairperson, Guest Speaker, Mother of the Day in several occasions and as a Resource Person in a Conference/Workshop organized by the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria (AMLSN) held at the University of Jos between 6th and 9th July, 2021. Also in Workshops/Seminars/Crusades and Church Programmes. She has also served and is always eager to serve as a Guest Preacher of the Gospel. She encourages evangelism in any community she finds herself. She participates actively in the sharing of tracts in different Institutions and various communities. Additionally, she diligently engages in food evangelism and supports those in need financially. Beneficiaries often commend her for her good deeds.

Her friendliness, care, concern and generosity has brought her close to the people in different communities. It is worthy of note that she has organized and rendered free medical services to the less privileged. To the glory of God the tempo will be sustained. The positive qualities/virtues exhibited by this scholar are visible and palpable hence her being approached and requested to apply for post of Vice-Chancellor by Search Teams for Vice-Chancellorship of three (3) Federal Universities. These include; University of Abuja (2012), Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (2014) and University of Jos (2016).

As part of her contribution to education, she has donated books to the University of Jos Library, ASUU Library of the University of Jos, National Library of Nigeria, Plateau State Library, Some Secondary Schools and other Tertiary Institutions. SIWES hand Books viz “SIWES Key Points (1), SIWES Key Points (2) and “A Guide to Technical Report Writing for SIWES Students (1) and Objective Questions and Answers in Biology (1-3) authored by her, have also been donated to friends, students, parents and guardians. In like manner, some of her books are distributed as sourvenirs during weddings and graduation.

She is a member of some Professional bodies viz; Entomological Society of Nigeria (ESN), Zoological Society of Nigeria (ZSN), Organization of Women in Science in Developing World (OWSDW), Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Fellow of the Institute of Policy and Management Development (IPMD) (www.nnjamesrugu.com).

She is the Representative of the Department of Zoology on writing on the History of the Programme/Sub-Discipline/Discipline for the Accreditation by NUC. She has handled this assignment for some years now. She is also, Member, Council of Elders, Irigwe Community in Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas, Plateau State (2023-2025).

This energetic icon has spread her tentacles by contributing her quota in the following: Member of Board of Trustees of two (2) Ministries, Member of Board of Trustees of Win Nigeria for Christ, Member of Board of Directors and Member of Advisory Boards of some Non-Governmental Organizations, Mother of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah in conjunction with Jauro Gospel International alias Gamzaki Ministry, Patron of Boys’ Brigade and Grand Patron of the club tagged Friends of the Zoo, National Zoological Garden Jos (NZGJ).

Prof. James-Rugu is a member of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Member of Mountain of Fire Adviser to Glorious Women in Mountain of Fire, Rukuba Road, Jos. To the glory of God and as a lover of the people, Prof. James-Rugu is an encourager. Once she establishes a relationship she tries to sustain it. This is adequately achieved from her attributes of being soft hearted and patient.

In furtherance of sustaining such relationships, Prof. James-Rugu has created eleven (11) Platforms. These are in the areas of Academics with Staff, Research with Undergraduate Students, Research with M. Sc Students, Research with Ph. D Students, Research fellows in Science, Daily Devotional and Prayer Points, Prayer Team, Health Issues/Matters, Friends in the University of Jos, Sons, Daughters and Friends Worldwide and Distinguished Women in Research. On the other hand, this personality has been added as a Member to different WhatsApp Platforms.

On 14th March 1999, the Governor-Elect of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Chibi Dariye appointed this personality as a Member of a Sub-Committee on Workers Welfare and Community Relations. Similarly, in 2023, the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang appointed this academic giant as Chairman of Visitation Panels to College of Health Technology, Pankshin and College of Health Technology, Zawan.

Being evidently a workaholic, she has participated immensely in the following Programmes: Created awareness in several Community Programmes, Stressing the need for youths to further their education, Discourage early marriage amongst youths, Donated books to some Secondary Schools in Nigeria, as part of her “Book Project”, Entrepreneurial skills acquisition and Advised appropriately on need for youths to desist in engaging in negative vices.

Being focused, this aforementioned scholar believes that the ultimate goal for her is to achieve greatness and excellence. In view of this therefore, she prays fervently for the Lord Almighty to continue to preserve, protect, guide and direct her so that she will continue to serve him and serve humanity.

It was in recognition of her Sterling Contribution to Nation Bulding in the Sphere of University Education that Prof. Naomi Nari James-Rugu was deemed worthy to be conferred with the Nigerian Achievement Award.