Profile Overview
Mr. Gogwim, Joel Godwin is an accomplished and innovative ICT professional, ICT policy expert, and IT academies trainer with over two decades of hands-on experience in enterprise network design, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, ICT policy development, and community-centred connectivity. He has played a pivotal role in shaping ICT ecosystems within higher education, government institutions, and community development initiatives in Nigeria and across Africa.
Renowned for his leadership, technical depth, and policy influence, Mr. Gogwim is a trusted advisor, trainer, and technical lead whose work bridges technology, education, governance, and digital inclusion.
Core Responsibilities
In his current role, Mr. Gogwim provides strategic and operational leadership for the University’s ICT backbone and services. His key responsibilities include but not limited to:
- Overall coordination of Network & Internet Services across the University’s four campuses
- Administration and strategic management of ICT departmental activities
- Coordination of the University’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and Network Security Operations
- Oversight of cloud resources, data centres, servers, and core network infrastructure
- Network design, implementation, maintenance, and Internet provisioning
- Ensuring compliance with ICT policies, cybersecurity standards, and best practices
- Periodic evaluation and recommendation of ICT infrastructure upgrades
- University Desk Officer for the Nigeria Research and Education Network (NgREN)
- Member, University of Jos Procurement Committee
- Teach academic course modules and professional ICT academy course modules
Personal Strengths & Professional Objective
Mr. Gogwim is an enthusiastic and highly motivated ICT specialist who thrives both as a team leader and an independent problem solver. He is quick to grasp emerging technologies and translate them into innovative, practical solutions. Even under intense pressure, he consistently delivers high-quality outcomes within tight deadlines.
His professional objective is to continue building on his extensive technical, leadership, and policy experience within challenging roles that foster continuous professional development, innovation, and institutional growth.
Educational Background
- M.Sc., University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa
- B.Tech. (Computer Science), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria
- Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) – Mathematics/Physics, College of Education, Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Professional Certifications
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
- Cisco Certified Academy Instructor (CCAI)
- Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Certified SIM3 (Security Incident Management Maturity Model) Auditor
- Certified AWS Academy Instructor
- CPN Certified Digital Skills Trainer
ICT Policy & Governance Contributions
Mr. Gogwim has significantly influenced ICT policy and governance at institutional, state, national, and regional levels, including:
- Contributor to AfriNIC Policy Development Process (PDP) – 2015, 2019 and 2021
- Member, Plateau State Government & NITDA Committee that drafted the PICTDA ICT Policy and Act – 2017–2018
- Contributor to NiRA Policy Review – 2024
- Contributor to NITDA National IT Policy Review on behalf of OSFON – 2012
- Member, ICT Policy Review Committee, ICT Directorate, University of Jos – 2011
Work Experience at University of Jos
University of Jos, Nigeria (2003 – Date)
- Senior Deputy Director, ICT & Head, Network & Internet Services (2022 – Date)
- Deputy Director, ICT & Head, Industrial Training Services (2017 – 2021)
- Assistant Director, ICT & Head, Network & Internet Services (2008 – 2016)
- Acting Coordinator, Network Department (2007 – Jan. 2008)
- Cisco Academy Legal Main Contact (2007 – 2009)
- System & Network Administrator (2003 – 2007)
Across these roles, he led the design, deployment, and management of LAN/WLAN infrastructures, fibre-optic backbones, Voice of IP (VoIP), cloud platforms, data centres, Internet services, bandwidth optimisation, e-learning systems, institutional website administration, and national research network integrations. He led the establishment of ICT Academies like AWS Academy, MikroTik Academy, Huawei ICT Academy, Juniper Networks® Academy Alliance (JNAA) and Oracle Academy at the University of Jos.
Board, Committee & Advisory Roles
- Global Cisco Networking Academy Advisory Board Member (2018 – Date)
- Board Member, School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Jos, ICT Reps. (2025 – Date)
- Board Member, NetAccess Foundation (2024 – Date)
- Member, Board of Trustees, Dungung Education Foundation (2025 – Date)
- Member, University of Jos Procurement Committee
- Member of several investigative, policy, and project-oversight committees at institutional and state levels
Consultancy, Training & Community Service
Mr. Gogwim has provided consultancy and capacity-building services to universities, polytechnics, colleges, government agencies, NGOs, and international partners, including:
- Nationwide Cisco Networking Academy instructor trainings for NBTE Polytechnics
- ICT consultancy for Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS)
- Digital skills empowerment initiatives with World Bank–supported projects
- Cybersecurity, AI, cloud computing, and ICT governance workshops for judiciary, academia, and public institutions
- Community ICT infrastructure deployment projects, including rural and faith-based institutions
Major Projects Coordinated
- Coordinator, NCC Enterprise Campus Network Project, University of Jos
- Co-Coordinator & Convener, Jos Network Operators Group (JosNOG 2023)
- Desk Officer, NgREN and USPF Inter-Campus Connectivity Projects
- Technical Committee Coordinator, TETFund Data Centre & Fibre Backbone Project
- Coordinator & Convener of multiple national and regional Cisco Academy grant projects
Professional Memberships & Affiliations
Mr. Gogwim is an active member of numerous professional bodies and communities of practice (CoP), including:
- Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria) – CPN
- Nigeria Computer Society (NCS)
- Internet Society (ISOC)
- Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
- Africa Computer Emergency Response Team (AfricaCERT)
- Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF)
- Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA)
- Nigeria Internet Governance Forum (NIGF)
- Cisco Networking Academy, EC-Council, AWS Academy, Huawei ICT Academy
- Nigeria Research and Education Network (NgREN)
- West and Central Africa Research abd Education Network (WACREN)
- Africa Research and Education Network (AfREN)
- Practical Artificial Intelligence Development Foundation (PAIDeF)
- Cyber Security Expert Association of Nigeria (CSEAN)
- Computer Forensic Institute, Nigeria (CFIN)
- Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA)
- eLearning Africa, and several others
Professional Areas of Interest and Research
Mr. Gogwim, Joel Godwin have broad and multidisciplinary professional and research interests that span ICT infrastructure, policy, cybersecurity, education, and community development. His interests are shaped by over two decades of practical experience, policy engagement, and capacity-building across academia, government, and industry. These can be summarised as follow:
1. Network Engineering and Digital Infrastructure
2. Cybersecurity and Digital Trust
3. Cloud Computing and Emerging Technologies
4. ICT Policy, Governance, and Regulation
5. Digital Inclusion and Community-Centred Connectivity
6. ICT for Education and Research
7. Digital Skills Development and Workforce Capacity Building
8. E-Government, E-Business, and Public Sector Digital Transformation
9. Open-Source Technologies and Innovation Ecosystems
Scholarships, Awards & Recognition
- Cisco Global Recognition: One of “Five Teachers Who Make a Difference Around the World” – May 2021. Details at: https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2021/m05/five-teachers-who-make-a-difference-around-the-world.html
- Cisco Instructor Excellence Awards (2019 & 2020)
- Multiple Cisco Networking Academy Fund Grant Awards
- University of Cape Town & Carnegie Mellon Foundation Scholarship – 2012
Contact Information
Office Address:
ICT Directorate, University of Jos
Naraguta Campus, P.M.B. 2084
Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Email: