By Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU), Professor Samuel Asagba, has marked his first year in office with a report highlighting major progress in academic development, ICT transformation, infrastructure growth, administrative reforms, and welfare initiatives.
The event, hosted by the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of the University Governing Council, Senate, Management, Staff, and Students, celebrated key milestones recorded during his first year in office.
One of the major highlights of the day was the conferment of awards on outstanding staff of the university. The honours were given in recognition of excellence, dedication, and service, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to motivating staff and promoting a culture of excellence.
Presenting “My One-Year Stewardship,” the VC reaffirmed DELSU’s founding ideals of advancing learning, promoting inclusive education, strengthening research, and serving humanity.
He reiterated his vision of positioning DELSU as a globally competitive institution driven by excellence, innovation, and social responsibility.
The Vice-Chancellor said his administration adopted a strategic blueprint guided by SWOT analysis to strengthen governance, deepen accountability, and ensure efficient resource management across the university.
In his early months in office, he embarked on familiarization visits to faculties and units to engage directly with staff and students. He also made key appointments across administrative and academic units to strengthen leadership and promote competence, equity, and youth inclusion.
The administration established new monitoring committees to block revenue leakages and reduce outsourcing costs by executing construction and maintenance works through direct labour.
Several new centres were created, including the Centre for Farm Management, the Centre for National Linkages and Partnerships, and the Centre for Product Development and Research Commercialization, along with committees to enhance medical screening and community health outreach.
A major highlight of the year was the extensive upgrade of DELSU’s ICT infrastructure. The university developed a new result-processing engine, revamped the examination centre, computerized staff records, introduced a new integrated portal, and enabled online screening and certificate payments.
The ICT drive also saw massive upgrades of exam centres in Abraka and Oleh with more than 1,000 new computer systems. The VC paid glowing tribute to the youthful ICT team, describing them as energetic and capable of delivering even greater breakthroughs.
Academic expansion featured prominently, with new programmes introduced in Environmental Sciences, Computing Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, and Environmental Management & Toxicology under the Faculty of Science.
Infrastructure development received strong attention with the completion of a new road linking Basic Medical Sciences to the Faculty of Arts, the ongoing renovation of the 500-seater theatre, upgrades of key laboratories, and expanded fibre-optic internet services.
Administrative reforms included the creation of an Estate Directorate, new units in the Registry, a postgraduate bursary unit, and a third Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s office dedicated to research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
A SERVICOM office was also established to promote efficiency and accountability.
On the international front, DELSU deepened partnerships with universities in China, South Africa, Canada, and the United States. The VC announced that the Times Higher Education ranking for 2026 placed DELSU as the best state university in Nigeria and the 12th overall.
Staff welfare received a significant boost with support for medical bills, comprehensive medical screenings, promotions, training, conference approvals, and continued tuition discounts for staff pursuing postgraduate studies in DELSU. An annual staff award system was also introduced to motivate excellence.
Students benefited from sustained work-study programmes, upgraded counselling services, improved medical and sporting facilities, leadership training for student union executives, and enhanced complaint-resolution channels. He noted that school fees were not increased during the year to ease financial pressure on parents.
Reflecting on his stewardship, the Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to staff, students, and stakeholders for their cooperation and commitment to the growth of the university.
He said the achievements recorded in the past year reflect the collective resolve to advance DELSU’s mission and strengthen its national and global relevance.
The VC expressed confidence that the institution will continue on its upward trajectory, delivering excellence in teaching, research, community service, and innovation.
The ceremony also featured special music renditions, including Christmas carols, which added a festive atmosphere to the event. The Theatre Arts Department delivered a drama performance that captured the institution’s progress and aspirations under the current leadership.
