St. James' Minor Seminary, Yandev-Gboko belongs to the Catholic Diocese of
Gboko, Benue State, and North Central Nigeria. It started as a mobile school in Korinya
and Gboko before it was finally established in Otukpo in 1955. The Seminary is
named after the first Bishop of the Diocese of Makurdi, Most Rev. Dr. James Hagan Cssp.
The story of this seminary is one of a travelogue. From its humble beginning in
Otukpo in 1955 where it lasted for four years (1955-1958), the seminary has
sojourned in Aliade (1958-1960), Keffi (1960-1970), Makurdi (1970-1986), Aliade (1986-1995) and
finally in Gboko, Yandev from 1995 till date. These movements have been due to
various reasons like the takeover of its premises by the Major Seminary as was the
case in Makurdi in 1986.
Approximately, St. James Junior Seminary has produced over two hundred priests
and religious men who are working in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, Europe and
America. She has consistently produced hundreds of Major Seminarians studying philosophy and theology
in different seminaries across the globe. Several successful professionals, captains of industries among other lay faithfuls of the Catholic Church who are products of the Minor Seminary owe their success in life to the training they received while studying at this great citadel of learning.