Ogheneruona Tejiri, Abraka
Delta State Government has re-awarded the contract for the long-abandoned Senate Building of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, and approved the construction of new hostels at the institution and the University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor.
This was disclosed by Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari Commissioner for Higher Education e Commissioner for Higher Education during an oversight tour of University of Delta,(UNIDEL), Agbor and Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.
Prof. Tonukari said that the government has also made budgetary provisions for research grants for all state-owned universities as part of efforts to strengthen academic research, innovation and institutional development.
At DELSU, Prof. Tonukari said the contractor handling the Senate Building project had already been mobilised with 40 per cent of the contract sum, raising hopes that the facility, which had remained abandoned for years, would soon be completed.
He also disclosed that approval had been granted for the construction of 500-capacity male and female hostels at the university, with the contracts expected to be awarded shortly.
The Commissioner said that the government was equally concerned about the university’s huge electricity expenditure, noting that DELSU currently spends about N54 million monthly on electricity.
He said the electricity burden, alongside other capital projects requiring government intervention, would be presented to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for consideration.
Prof. Tonukari reiterated the state government’s commitment to investing in the development of DELSU, urging the university to strengthen its research capacity and pursue innovative projects capable of enhancing its visibility and competitiveness globally.
At UNIDEL, the Commissioner announced the approval of two new hostels for male and female students.
According to him, the contract for the male hostel had already been awarded, while approval had been secured for the construction of the female hostel.
He further disclosed that the Ministry of Higher Education had made provisions in its budget for research grants across all state-owned universities.
Prof. Tonukari urged the institutions to intensify research and innovation, particularly projects capable of addressing societal challenges and contributing to the economic and social development of Delta State.
He said the development of research capacity remained a priority of the Oborevwori administration, adding that universities should also explore opportunities to improve their internally generated revenue.
On staff welfare at UNIDEL, the Commissioner said the governor had approved the payment of outstanding salary arrears by the end of September 2026.
He appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIDEL chapter, to continue to engage the government in resolving outstanding issues and avoid industrial action that could disrupt academic activities.
Prof. Tonukari also urged UNIDEL students to take advantage of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme, which provides tuition support and a monthly stipend of N20,000.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNIDEL, Prof. Eric Eboh disclosed that the institution had commenced online admissions and released its first merit list, adding that the admission process was still ongoing.
Prof. Eboh said the university was implementing its five-pillar R-A-I-S-E agenda, covering Research and Innovation, Academic Excellence, ICT Optimisation, Staff Development and Welfare, and an Enabling Environment.
At DELSU, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Asagba disclosed that the institution was undergoing reforms but facing challenges, including outstanding government refunds and inadequate staffing following the creation of new faculties and departments.
Prof. Asagba, who described DELSU as the number one state-owned university in Nigeria, also appealed to the State Government to ban “sign-out” celebrations by graduating students, describing the practice as a security threat.
Prof. Tonukari was accompanied on the tour by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Mrs. Felicia Rume Orugbo, and other senior officials of the ministry.
Delta State Government has re-awarded the contract for the long-abandoned Senate Building of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, and approved the construction of new hostels at the institution and the University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor.
This was disclosed by Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari Commissioner for Higher Education e Commissioner for Higher Education during an oversight tour of University of Delta,(UNIDEL), Agbor and Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.
Prof. Tonukari said that the government has also made budgetary provisions for research grants for all state-owned universities as part of efforts to strengthen academic research, innovation and institutional development.
At DELSU, Prof. Tonukari said the contractor handling the Senate Building project had already been mobilised with 40 per cent of the contract sum, raising hopes that the facility, which had remained abandoned for years, would soon be completed.
He also disclosed that approval had been granted for the construction of 500-capacity male and female hostels at the university, with the contracts expected to be awarded shortly.
The Commissioner said that the government was equally concerned about the university’s huge electricity expenditure, noting that DELSU currently spends about N54 million monthly on electricity.
He said the electricity burden, alongside other capital projects requiring government intervention, would be presented to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for consideration.
Prof. Tonukari reiterated the state government’s commitment to investing in the development of DELSU, urging the university to strengthen its research capacity and pursue innovative projects capable of enhancing its visibility and competitiveness globally.
At UNIDEL, the Commissioner announced the approval of two new hostels for male and female students.
According to him, the contract for the male hostel had already been awarded, while approval had been secured for the construction of the female hostel.
He further disclosed that the Ministry of Higher Education had made provisions in its budget for research grants across all state-owned universities.
Prof. Tonukari urged the institutions to intensify research and innovation, particularly projects capable of addressing societal challenges and contributing to the economic and social development of Delta State.
He said the development of research capacity remained a priority of the Oborevwori administration, adding that universities should also explore opportunities to improve their internally generated revenue.
On staff welfare at UNIDEL, the Commissioner said the governor had approved the payment of outstanding salary arrears by the end of September 2026.
He appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIDEL chapter, to continue to engage the government in resolving outstanding issues and avoid industrial action that could disrupt academic activities.
Prof. Tonukari also urged UNIDEL students to take advantage of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme, which provides tuition support and a monthly stipend of N20,000.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNIDEL, Prof. Eric Eboh disclosed that the institution had commenced online admissions and released its first merit list, adding that the admission process was still ongoing.
Prof. Eboh said the university was implementing its five-pillar R-A-I-S-E agenda, covering Research and Innovation, Academic Excellence, ICT Optimisation, Staff Development and Welfare, and an Enabling Environment.
At DELSU, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Asagba disclosed that the institution was undergoing reforms but facing challenges, including outstanding government refunds and inadequate staffing following the creation of new faculties and departments.
Prof. Asagba, who described DELSU as the number one state-owned university in Nigeria, also appealed to the State Government to ban “sign-out” celebrations by graduating students, describing the practice as a security threat.
Prof. Tonukari was accompanied on the tour by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Mrs. Felicia Rume Orugbo, and other senior officials of the ministry.
