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By Tony Eke

Despite its dysfunctional features, democracy has been beneficial to Nigeria to some extent. A comparison of the state of the country yesteryears to the present time shows some improvement in certain areas. No matter our varying perception of the extant governance system, we cannot dismiss it as a total failure, oblivious of the occasional glimpses of a progressive course in few areas.

Arguably, the education sector is a major beneficiary of democratic restoration since 1999. There are other areas of our national life which have benefitted as well, but this piece is only interested in looking at the way the current civilian administration has restored stable governance of universities in the country by narrowing it to the Delta State University (DELSU). As much as I am inclined to say all I would like to say, I am aware that certain viewpoints could act as counterpoise to my position in this regard. That’s by the way.

A cursory inquiry into the beneficial impact of democracy on the exponential growth of universities in the country will show gains such as the expanded opportunity for thousands of Nigerians to satiate their quest for higher education. This, of course, is evident in the establishment of numerous universities by federal and state governments besides the increased participation of private individuals and organisations. All of these alongside the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) have relatively democratised access of people to education at the highest level.

While Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka is not an offshoot of the post-1999 era, it has shared in the renewed vigour of its proprietor in sustaining its path of stability bolstered by the democratic governance of the university in the last quarter of a century. In essence, it has reaped bountifully from the enthronement of democracy in the country given that the stable course of governance in Delta State level is the reason for its progression over the years.

Yet, without being involved in the affairs of DELSU in varying status as a former student, an employee, an enthusiast or education analyst, one might not understand the basis of the unbroken stable years of the institution in the period under discourse. An abiding sense of satisfaction emerges when we juxtapose DELSU of today with its incipient years of crisis which ranged from the unstable tenure of the Vice Chancellors, incessant strikes caused by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to deadly secret cult activities in and around Abraka particularly.

The crisis of leadership was so pronounced that none of the officers that held the highest office ever completed his tenure or had the honour of presiding over a valedictory ceremony let alone in a convivial atmosphere. The high-wired politics spawned by military administration encumbered their tenures. Yes, they had gone the way of all mortals, but in retrospect, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Frank Ukoli, his immediate successor, Professor Pius Sada, and afterwards, Professor Abednego Ekoko, who was a sole administrator, were overwhelmed with pathos on the days they abruptly exited the institution.

Their fate reflected a milder degree of the tragic colouration of Liberia which did not witness a smooth handover of political power by an outgoing president to his successor between 1980 and 2018 until President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was succeeded by former President George Opong Yeah. Retrospectively, the Samuel Doe-led bloody coup of April 12, 1980 and the concomitant two-phased fratricidal conflict obstructed the path of political stability envisioned for that country.

However, a measure of stability in the institution has produced the unbroken tenures of the successive Vice-Chancellors from 1999 to 2024. Their emergence from different parts of the state denotes an unofficial consensus to enthrone the principle of inclusivity as applicable to the rotational occupation of the governorship in the larger society. While Professor Uvietoborhe Igun(1999-2004), Prof. John Enaohwo(2004-2009) and Prof. Eric Arubayi (2009-2014) were from Delta Central Senatorial district, Prof. Victor Peretomode (2014-2019) hailed from Delta South Senatorial district. Prof. Andy Egwunyenga whose tenure ended on the eve of November 30, 2024, after five years in office, is the only academic to have held that office from Delta North senatorial district.

Quite remarkably, Prof. Samuel Asagba, the new Vice-Chancellor, is also from Delta Central senatorial district, but his emergence has elicited some acclamation because his Okpe zone has not occupied that position in the 32-year history of the institution. The reference to his zone within Delta Central Senatorial district does not vitiate the merit of his appointment buoyed by demonstrable academic leadership and administrative experience but to show that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and two previous visitors did well by their deference to inclusion as a critical factor in their approval of the appointments.

The adoption of what can be referred to as unofficial zoning of the Vice-Chancellorship post is a welcome development in a diverse state. It gives an assurance to other ethnic groups which are yet to hold such a post. This pattern is better and more accommodating than what obtains in most federal universities where the coveted position is ceded to the dominant ethnic group which may also double as the host of its location as captured by the ethnicisation of the top post at University of Benin (UNIBEN) by the majority Bini.

*Tony Eke, a journalist based in Asaba, Delta State capital, can be reached via tonek6819@gmail.com or on 08035504896(text only).