The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Prof. Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, has unveiled an impressive catalogue of milestone achievements that have repositioned the institution across academics, infrastructure, technology, research, staff welfare and global partnerships within just one year in office.
Speaking during a media briefing on Monday December 1, 2025, at the University’s 750 capacity lecture hall, Prof. Asagba outlined initiatives that have modernised DELSU, elevated its academic standing, and enhanced service delivery to staff and students.
ICT REVOLUTION AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
One of the signature milestones of his administration is the unprecedented overhaul of DELSU’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system, which has transformed the university into a digitally driven institution.
Achievements include:
Full automation of results processing, reducing errors and processing time, introduction of online screening for new students, eliminating long queues and travel difficulties, launch of online payments for certificates, transcripts, and registry services and expansion of CBT centres for faster, more efficient examinations.
Also, recruitment of 12 new programmers to power digital growth, employment of high-speed fibre-optic internet across campus and evamped Data Centre and upgraded server capacity for reliability.
He also disclosed that graduates can now receive their certificates from anywhere in the world through the university’s digital delivery system.
NEW FACULTIES AND ACADEMIC EXPANSION
Prof. Asagba’s tenure has seen one of DELSU’s boldest academic expansions, marked by the establishment and revival of major faculties and programmes.
Key milestones include:
Establishment of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences
(Architecture, Surveying & Geoinformatics, Estate Management, Quantity Surveying, Environmental Management)
Creation of the Faculty of Computing (Data Science, Software Engineering, Forensic & Security Science, Information Systems, Information Technology)
Launch of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (Public Health, Radiography, Pharmacology, and other health-based programmes, introduction of B.Sc. Management at the Oleh Campus and successful accreditation and commencement of admissions into all new programmes
These expansions, he said, align DELSU with global academic trends and market-driven skills.
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FACILITIES UPGRADE
In one year, the university recorded extensive infrastructural progress, including:
Construction of a 1-kilometre access road linking key faculties, rapid development of the Faculty of Agriculture complex, with work already at an advanced stage, ongoing completion of a 500-capacity lecture theatre for the Faculty of Arts, large-scale renovation of departments, classrooms, and laboratories.
Similarly, purchase of over 200 computers, laptops, desktops and air conditioners for academic and administrative use, resuscitation of more than 60 unused laboratory equipment, saving millions of naira and upgrading of electrical installations across the campus for improved power stability.
FINANCIAL REFORMS AND COST-SAVING MEASURES
To strengthen accountability and protect revenue, the VC introduced two strategic committees:
Revenue Monitoring and Compliance Committee and Direct Labour and Maintenance Committee
These initiatives have blocked leakages, reduced construction costs through direct labour, and enhanced transparency in fund utilization.
STAFF WELFARE, PROMOTION AND HEALTH SUPPORT
Prof. Asagba announced milestone improvements in staff motivation and welfare, including:
Promotion of 32 Professors and 17 Associate Professors and promotion of 267 non-teaching staff and upgradation of 31 junior staff without examinations.
Resuscitation of conference support and honoraria for external examiners, financial assistance for staff medical emergencies and introduction of mandatory annual medical screening for all staff.
STUDENT SUPPORT, COUNSELLING AND WORK-STUDY EXPANSION
Milestones recorded include:
Strengthening of the Drug Abuse and Counselling Unit, rehabilitation support programmes for affected students, expansion of the Work-Study Scheme to support financially vulnerable students and mproved learning environment through furniture upgrades and faculty renovations.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND HEALTH OUTREACH
The university extended its impact beyond campus through:
Free medical missions to host communities, including eye care and medication for children under five and a full medical outreach for DELSU staff where several underlying health concerns were detected and treated.
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AND INTERNATIONALISATION
Under his leadership, DELSU secured major international partnerships with institutions in:
Canada, United States, South Africa and China.
These collaborations have produced staff exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, postgraduate admission opportunities, and virtual teaching engagements.
DELSU also adopted a hybrid teaching model, appointing accomplished Nigeria-born professors abroad to teach virtually.
IMPROVED GLOBAL RANKING
Prof. Asagba announced that DELSU has recorded significant upward movement in the Times Higher Education (THE) World Rankings, driven by better research output, internationalisation, gender balance, diversity, and academic performance.
A YEAR OF RECORD-BREAKING PROGRESS
Summarising his achievements, Prof Asagba said his first year in office has been defined by “vision, discipline, digital innovation, infrastructural renewal, and a commitment to global standards.”
“We are laying a foundation for the DELSU of the future,” he declared. “The journey has just begun.”
