DELSU seeks support to sustain excellence
The Vice-Chancellor, Samuel Asagba, appealed on Tuesday during a media briefing at the university’s campus in Abraka, held to formally announce the institution’s 18th convocation ceremony.
nationwideAsagba said DELSU had come of age, noting that the latest Times Higher Education ranking placed it as Nigeria’s best state university and 12th overall among universities in the country.
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Nathan Tamarapreye
Delta State University has appealed to Nigerians, alumni and well-meaning stakeholders for greater support to help the institution sustain its academic excellence and continue its developmental strides.
The Vice-Chancellor, Samuel Asagba, appealed on Tuesday during a media briefing at the university’s campus in Abraka, held to formally announce the institution’s 18th convocation ceremony.
nationwideAsagba said DELSU had come of age, noting that the latest Times Higher Education ranking placed it as Nigeria’s best state university and 12th overall among universities in the country.
The Professor of Environmental Biochemistry and Toxicology said the ranking reflects the institution’s strong national standing and competitive academic positioning.
The eighth substantive Vice-Chancellor, who assumed office on 1 December 2024, stressed that great universities require collective effort and shared responsibility to achieve and maintain excellence.
Highlighting key achievements under his administration, Asagba said the university had established new faculties, including Environmental Sciences, Computing Sciences and Allied Health Sciences, in line with global academic trends and the need to equip students with future-ready skills.
He added that his administration completed a strategic access road within six weeks, while work is ongoing on a 500-seat lecture theatre.
According to him, other projects include the Faculty of Agriculture complex, renovation of lecture halls, laboratories and offices, repurposing of the old library, and deployment of high-speed fibre-optic internet across the campus.
He also listed the establishment of a third Deputy Vice-Chancellor position, procurement of over 1,000 modern computer systems, stable school fees, staff promotions across cadres and expanded training opportunities as part of ongoing reforms.
Asagba said DELSU’s digital transformation initiatives have improved operational efficiency through faster processing of results, a unified admissions system, a medical screening portal, and enhanced online payment systems.
He commended the Delta State Government for strategic interventions, including the completion of the Senate Building, prompt payment of staff salaries and support for medical allowances at DELSUTH, Oghara.
The Vice-Chancellor also identified the development of a modern sports complex as a major priority, aimed at nurturing talent, promoting health and strengthening community engagement.
He called on public-spirited individuals and the university’s alumni network to partner with the institution in realising the project.
Asagba further disclosed that, in keeping with global academic traditions, DELSU would confer honorary doctorate degrees on three distinguished personalities in recognition of their contributions to society.
The honourees are HRM Enyi Odini (Ukwata I of Umukwata Kingdom), Muhammadu Indimi and Grace Aghoghovbia.
Responding to questions from journalists, Asagba encouraged students to take advantage of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to ease financial pressures.
He also revealed that the university spends about N57 million monthly on diesel and over N50 million on electricity bills, adding that alternative solutions are being explored to address energy challenges on campus. Despite these challenges, Asagba reaffirmed DELSU’s commitment to academic excellence through improved teaching, learning, research and innovation.
