Prof. Anthony Zaayem Apenda PhD, ACIIFS

Chairman, Board of Directors/ Proprietor

Prof. A. Z. Apenda attended Mt. St. Michael’s Secondary School, Aliade, Benue State (1980-1983), School of Basic Studies, Makurdi (1983-1985). He was pioneer graduate of Benue State University (1992-1997) and master's degree (2002), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the University of Jos (2012). Professor Apenda joined the Department of History, Religion and Philosophy, Benue State University as Graduate Assistant in 1997, where he rose through the ranks to the professorial chair in 2018.

Prof. Apenda was the founding father of Benue State University Alumni Association (BSUAA) on 4th June 1998. He was Financial Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, BSU Branch (2009-2014), and General Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (2014-2018). He has served in several capacities in Benue State University and outside the university including, member of Library Endowment Fund Committee (2005), Coordinated GST 202: Moral Philosophy and Discipline (2007-2012), member of Security Committee (2014-2018), Chairman, ASUU representative to Council Committee on Budget Monitoring (2022-2023). Prof. Apenda has represented Benue State University Postgraduate School to the award of 21 Masters and Doctoral degrees across departments. He has supervised and graduated 120 bachelor’s degree, 20 master's degree and 8 Doctoral degrees between 1998 and 2026.

Prof. Apenda also facilitated at National Open University of Nigeria (2006-2010), Team Chairman, JAMB Test Items, Abuja (2016), Collation Officer/ Returning Officer to several State Assembly and Governorship elections in Benue and Kogi States, visiting Professor to West African Theological Seminary, Lagos (2017). He was on fifteen months Sabbatical leave in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (2023-2024).

Prof. Apenda is a member of several academic and professional associations, including: Association for Encouraging Qualitative Education in Nigeria, Association of Nigerian Teachers, National Association for African Religion and Culture, National Association for Advancement of Knowledge, National Association for Research and Development, National Association for Science, Humanities and Education Research, National Association for Interplay of Religion and Science, Nigerian Association for the Study of Religion and Education, Nigerian University Scholars in Religion, National Association for the Study of Religions, International Association of the World Educators Forum, International Association for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education, , and International Association of Religion and Spirituality in Society.

Prof. Apenda has contributed immensely to literary works, including, editor of the Journal of National Association for the Study of Religions; African Journal of Local Society Initiatives; and The International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society of the Common Ground Research Networks, Berkeley University, USA. He has also published 84 academic articles and chapters in reputable journals and books. His groundbreaking works includes Introduction to Moral Philosophy and Discipline (2000), Returning to the “Garden of Eden”: Studies in Tiv Traditional Pharmacopeia (2013), and Discovery, Recovery and Reconstruction of Damages to African Traditional Religion Engendered by Western Scholars through Historical Sources (20th Inaugural Lecture delivered at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University on 12th September 2025). He is currently carrying out groundbreaking research in collaboration with Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University on Bio- pharmacological Treatment derived from Indigenous Local Roots.

Prof. Apenda is a recipient of several awards, including: Meritorious Award by National Association of Masev Students, Benue State (2011), Meritorious Award by National Association of Tiv Students, Benue State (2011), Certificate of award on Leadership Training by Academic Union of Universities (ASUU), Abuja (2014), Meritorious Award of Distinguished Professor by National Association of Mbaiase Development Association, Benue State (2016), Lecturer of the Year and God- Fearing Personality Award by Kingdom Newspaper (2018),Certificate of Award on Sustainable Core Ethical Values in Postgraduate Programmes amidst the Peculiarities of the COVID-19 Era by Benue State University (2022), Award of Excellence by National Association of Masev Students, Benue State (2023), Meritorious Award of Due Diligence in Service by Benue State University Alumni Association (2023), Outstanding Academic Award by Benue State University Alumni Association (2023).

Prof. A. Z Apenda is currently the Director, Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) at the Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (2025 to date). He is a fellow of Advanced Certificate in Investigation/ Intelligence Forensic Studies (2025). He is the founder and chairman, Board of Directors of Legacy College of Management and Administration, Keffi. His hobbies include, Football, Christian religious activities, travelling and making friends.

(+234)806671164; toniapenda@gmail.com.