Agbor, the headquarters of Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, witnessed an atmosphere of celebration and academic pride as University of Delta held its historic maiden convocation ceremony amid pomp, colour and widespread jubilation.
The landmark ceremony, held at the institution’s Mini Stadium on Saturday, attracted an array of distinguished personalities from across Nigeria’s academic, political and traditional institutions, marking a defining milestone in the five-year journey of the state-owned university.
Activities for the maiden convocation commenced with a colourful academic procession led by the Vice Chancellor, Stella Chiemeke, alongside principal officers, governing council members, visiting Vice Chancellors, professors and graduating students clad in academic regalia.
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Over 20 Vice Chancellors from universities across the country attended the ceremony in solidarity, underscoring the growing reputation of UNIDEL within Nigeria’s higher education community.
The landmark ceremony, held at the institution’s Mini Stadium on Saturday, attracted an array of distinguished personalities from across Nigeria’s academic, political and traditional institutions, marking a defining milestone in the five-year journey of the state-owned university.
Activities for the maiden convocation commenced with a colourful academic procession led by the Vice Chancellor, Stella Chiemeke, alongside principal officers, governing council members, visiting Vice Chancellors, professors and graduating students clad in academic regalia.
Over 20 Vice Chancellors from universities across the country attended the ceremony in solidarity, underscoring the growing reputation of UNIDEL within Nigeria’s higher education community.
picture of best graduating student Uzoma ijeoma Victoria
Parents, guardians, alumni families and well-wishers filled the arena early, turning Agbor into a festive centre as cultural displays, music performances and cheers greeted graduating students celebrating years of academic dedication.
The event recorded the presence of Delta State Governor and Visitor to the university, Sheriff Oborevwori, alongside former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Dennis Emomotimi Guwor, traditional rulers, captains of industry and top government officials.
Royal fathers present included the Obi of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi I, whose presence further reflected strong host community support for the institution.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the formal conferment of Bachelor’s degrees on 1,606 pioneer graduates across faculties.
Out of the graduating class, 30 students emerged with First Class honours, while Miss Uzoma Victoria Ifunanya was celebrated as the Overall Best Graduating Student.
In recognition of her exceptional academic performance, Governor Oborevwori announced an instant cash award of ₦5 million, while each of the remaining 29 First Class graduates received ₦500,000.
The celebration intensified when philanthropist Dr. Donald Peterson announced a fully funded postgraduate scholarship up to PhD level for the best graduating student alongside an additional ₦1 million cash gift. The Vice Chancellor and other benefactors also presented financial rewards to outstanding graduates.
In her convocation address, Prof. Chiemeke described the ceremony as the successful outcome of a vision conceived barely five years ago when the pioneer students were admitted.
She praised the Delta State Government for sustained investment in education, noting that infrastructural expansion, staff welfare and uninterrupted salary payments contributed significantly to the university’s rapid development.
According to her, all academic programmes offered by UNIDEL have received accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC), while the institution now boasts a student population of over 17,000 across campuses in Agbor, Owa-Oyibu and Owa-Alero.
She also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), revealing that more than 4,000 indigent UNIDEL students had benefited from the scheme.
Speaking on the Faculty of Medical Sciences, the Vice Chancellor disclosed that medical students are already in their clinical phase, currently undergoing training at Agbor General Hospital and Mother and Child Hospital pending completion of the university’s Teaching Hospital.
She appealed to the state government to upgrade both facilities to serve officially as UNIDEL Teaching Hospitals.
Responding, Governor Oborevwori assured that the request would receive immediate attention, describing education as the backbone of sustainable development.
He pledged government support for hospital upgrades, construction of additional student hostels and announced the donation of a brand-new bus to ease transportation of medical students for clinical training.
Describing the convocation as historic, the governor stated: Today’s ceremony is not just about awarding degrees but celebrating a vision that has moved from conception to reality.
He applauded former Governor Okowa for establishing UNIDEL alongside Dennis Osadebay University and Southern Delta University, noting that the institutions now accommodate about 40,000 students collectively, expanding opportunities for higher education and skilled manpower development.
n his remarks, Dr. Okowa expressed appreciation to the university management for honouring him and other contributors to the institution’s growth.
He recalled the challenges faced during the establishment of the universities and commended Governor Oborevwori for sustaining infrastructural development, academic standards and welfare policies.
Okowa noted that Delta State remains uniquely positioned as one of the few states with multiple fast-growing state and federal universities.
Honour Awards and Recognition
Eighteen distinguished personalities who contributed to the establishment and development of UNIDEL were honoured during the ceremony.
Award recipients included Governor Oborevwori, former Governor Okowa, Rt. Hon. Guwor, business mogul Jim Ovia and respected traditional rulers.
Also in attendance were former Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, diplomats and senior academics.
The maiden convocation ended in a carnival-like atmosphere as graduating students celebrated with families amid photo sessions, cultural entertainment and goodwill messages.
For many observers, the ceremony symbolised not only the graduation of pioneer students but also the emergence of the University of Delta as a fast-rising institution within Nigeria’s higher education landscape, a testament to strategic investment in education and collaborative leadership.
The historic event has now firmly placed UNIDEL on Nigeria’s academic map, signalling a promising future for the institution and its graduates.
