By Ifeanyi Uwagwu
The Vice-Chancellor of Dennis Osadebay University, Prof. Ben Oghojafor, has declared that the institution is now a reputable university, built on resilience, vision and hard work, despite its humble beginnings.
Prof. Oghojafor made the assertion on Monday during a press conference held at the university’s 500-capacity auditorium as part of activities marking the maiden convocation ceremony of the institution.
Addressing principal officers, staff, students, invited guests and members of the press, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor said the journey of the university has been one of “sowing in sorrow and reaping in joy,” noting that what began under difficult circumstances has blossomed into a centre of academic excellence.
He expressed profound gratitude to the government and people of Delta State, particularly the immediate past governor, Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, for the opportunity to serve as pioneer Vice-Chancellor and for the vision that led to the establishment of the university.
According to him, Dennis Osadebay University, which came into existence alongside its sister institutions – University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor and Southern Delta University, Ozoro– started at a disadvantage. While the other institutions inherited structures, equipment, staff and funding from pre-existing colleges, Dennis Osadebay University began with virtually no facilities and only a handful of risk-taking staff.
“At best, the campus was like an infant of days,” he said, explaining that the site had previously hosted several defunct institutions, including a primary school, post-primary school, a monotechnic and later a satellite campus of Delta State University, leaving behind worn-out facilities.
Despite the uphill task, he said the management resolved not to fail.
The Vice-Chancellor recalled that when the university was officially opened on February 12, 2021, it admitted an initial 651 students. Since then, enrolment has grown steadily and impressively. The figure rose to 1,589 students in the 2022/2023 academic session, increased to 2,994 in 2023/2024, surged to 4,408 in 2024/2025, and now stands at 5,835 in the current 2025/2026 session.
In total, the university has recorded 15,472 students from inception, a feat Prof. Oghojafor described as remarkable in a state that hosts multiple state, federal and private universities.
“This can only be attributed to diligence, hard work and mission-centred leadership under the grace of God,” he said.
On infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor stated that the university has undergone significant transformation. From what he described as an archaic ecosystem with rusty and mushroom structures, the institution now boasts modern facilities befitting a reputable university.
He listed key developments to include a befitting administrative building, faculty blocks for Agriculture, Arts, Behavioural Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Management Sciences, as well as newly constructed student halls with accommodation capacity for up to 2,000 students.
The university library, he noted, has evolved from a mini facility serving just two faculties into a fully automated digital library catering to six faculties, complete with uninterrupted electricity and internet services. He described it as one of the most modern digital libraries in the region.
Academically, Prof. Oghojafor said the university has expanded from an initial 46 programmes to 86 programmes, with full accreditation secured for all but 35 programmes whose accreditation exercises were conducted later in 2025 and are awaiting decisions.
The institution currently has 872 staff, including 467 academic staff, 269 senior non-teaching and administrative staff, 69 technical staff and 28 junior staff.
In a bid to strengthen academic delivery, he explained that the university attracted contract, sabbatical, visiting and adjunct professors from older and more established institutions to cross-fertilise ideas and stabilise its programmes.
He also highlighted the introduction of premium and five-star courses, particularly in Allied Medical Sciences and Computing, including Nursing Sciences, Optometry and specialised digital and cyber sciences programmes. The university has equally entered into memoranda of understanding with professional and certification bodies to enhance professionalism.
Of particular pride, he said, is the overall best graduating student, Mike-Ogisi Regina Chukwufumnanya of the Department of Accounting, who graduated with a CGPA of 4.93 and has already qualified as a chartered accountant while still an undergraduate.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that beyond academic excellence, the institution is intentional about producing graduates who are worthy in learning and character, globally competitive yet locally relevant. He added that the entrepreneurship programme is designed to produce job creators rather than job seekers.
Announcing details of the maiden convocation, Prof. Oghojafor said activities commenced with the press conference and would continue with a Convocation Lecture on Thursday, March 5, 2026, followed by a Founder’s Day Lecture on Friday, March 6, 2026. The award of degrees, honours and prizes will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Other activities include an exhibition, a traditional convocation drama and an alumni reception.
A total of 416 candidates will graduate across 28 programmes in the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Behavioural Sciences, Computing, Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences and Science. Of these, 25 earned First Class Honours, 167 Second Class Upper Division, 185 Second Class Lower Division and 39 Third Class degrees.
Describing his tenure as both sour and sweet, Prof. Oghojafor expressed gratitude to God and all stakeholders who supported the university’s growth. He invited members of the public to participate in the maiden convocation ceremony and to explore what he described as “the university on the hills and the waters of the River Niger.”
