UNIDEL Produces 30 First-Class Graduates In Maiden Convocation …Oborevwori Announces Cash Awards, Approves Teaching Hospital
THE University of Delta, Agbor (UNIDEL), on Saturday held its maiden convocation ceremony, graduating its first set of students four years after its establishment. A total of 30 students finished with First-Class honours.
Delta State Governor and Visitor to the University, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, marked the historic event with major policy pronouncements and rewards for academic excellence. The Best Graduating Student will receive a ₦5 million cash prize, while each First-Class graduate will get ₦500,000, payable immediately.
The Governor also approved the conversion of the Mother and Child Hospital, General Hospital, Agbor, and the Diagnostic Centre, Owa-Alero, into a full-fledged University Teaching Hospital, a key requirement for the accreditation of UNIDEL’s medical programmes. He further pledged a coaster bus to support the institution’s transportation needs.
Describing the ceremony as a defining moment, Oborevwori said the event represents “the triumph of vision, courage and purposeful leadership.”
He noted that the establishment of UNIDEL and other state-owned universities—once criticised—has now been justified by rising enrolment figures and growing socio-economic impact.
“Delta State now hosts well over 100,000 students across its tertiary institutions, stimulating job creation and commercial activities in ways previously unimaginable,” he said.
He commended his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for initiating the university and praised the Governing Council, Management, Senate and staff for transforming UNIDEL into a fast-rising institution.
Addressing the pioneer graduands, the Governor urged them to be bold, creative and resilient, reminding them that they occupy a special place in the university’s history.
In her convocation address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stella Chiemeke announced that 1,606 students graduated from seven faculties for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions.
She highlighted key achievements, including full accreditation of all academic programmes by the National Universities Commissionn, strengthened international partnerships, enhanced campus security, improved infrastructure and growing global recognition.
Prof. Chiemeke disclosed that all graduates would receive their certificates and transcripts on the convocation day. She also revealed that about 4,000 indigent students accessed educational loans through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund this session.
She noted that despite being a young institution, UNIDEL ranks 3rd in Nigeria for sustainability and placed within the 801–1000 band globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. More than 180 academics from the university also featured in the 2026 AD Scientific Index.
Pro-Chancellor Emeritus Prof. Emmanuel Nwanze commended staff and students for their resilience and applauded the Vice-Chancellor for her hands-on leadership.
Governor Oborevwori was formally decorated as Visitor to the University and honoured alongside 17 other distinguished Nigerians.
Awardees included the immediate past governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission, Barr. Chiedu Ebie; and former Acting Executive Secretary of the NUC, Mr. Chris Maiyaki.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Senator Okowa thanked the university for the recognition and praised Governor Oborevwori for sustaining the vision behind the establishment of the three state universities in 2021.
The overall Best Graduating Student, Victoria Uzoma of the Faculty of Management Sciences (Business Administration), achieved a remarkable 4.97 GPA. In an emotional moment, she attributed her success to divine grace.
