Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has announced a ₦5 million cash award for the Best Graduating Student of the University of Delta, Agbor (UNIDEL), alongside an immediate ₦500,000 reward for each of the institution’s 30 First-Class graduates.
The Governor made the announcement on Saturday during UNIDEL’s maiden convocation ceremony, where the university graduated its first set of students, four years after its establishment.
Oborevwori, who serves as Visitor to the university, described the ceremony as a historic milestone, noting that it symbolised the triumph of vision, courage and purposeful leadership.
He said the cash rewards were part of deliberate efforts by his administration to promote academic excellence and encourage a culture of merit among students.
At the colourful event, the university presented a total of 1,606 graduates drawn from seven faculties across the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions. Of the number, 30 students earned First-Class honours, while the overall Best Graduating Student, Victoria Uzoma of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Department of Business Administration, recorded an outstanding Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.97.
Beyond the financial incentives, the Governor approved the request of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stella Chiemeke, for the conversion of the Mother and Child Hospital, General Hospital, Agbor, and the Diagnostic Centre in Owa-Alero into a University Teaching Hospital.
The move, he said, would accelerate full accreditation of the university’s medical programmes and strengthen healthcare delivery in the state. He also pledged the donation of a coaster bus to ease transportation challenges within the campus community.
According to the Governor, the establishment of UNIDEL and other state-owned universities in Delta, though initially criticised, has been vindicated by rising enrolment figures and expanding socio-economic impact.
He disclosed that Delta State now hosts over 100,000 students across its tertiary institutions, contributing significantly to job creation, commerce and service delivery.
Oborevwori paid glowing tribute to his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, whose administration established the university in 2021, and commended the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council, Management, Senate and staff for nurturing the young institution into a fast-rising centre of learning.
In her address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stella Chiemeke, said all graduating students received their certificates and transcripts on convocation day, reflecting the university’s commitment to efficiency and global best practices.
She highlighted milestones recorded under the current administration, including full accreditation of all programmes by the National Universities Commission, strengthened international collaborations, improved infrastructure and enhanced campus security.
She further revealed that about 4,000 indigent students benefited from loans under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund in the current academic session, easing financial pressure on families.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Emeritus Prof. Emmanuel A. C. Nwanze, described the maiden convocation as both a celebration and a moment of stock-taking, commending the resilience of staff and students and praising the Vice-Chancellor’s leadership.
Among the eminent Nigerians honoured at the ceremony were Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr Jim Ovia; Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Barr Chiedu Ebie; and former Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Mr Chris Maiyaki, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Okowa expressed appreciation to the university management for the recognition and commended Governor Oborevwori for sustaining policies that have strengthened higher education and expanded access to learning opportunities across the state.
The convocation ceremony also featured the formal decoration of Governor Oborevwori as Visitor to the University in line with the enabling law establishing the institution.
