AGBOR – The University of Delta, Agbor (UNIDEL) held its maiden convocation ceremony on Saturday, February 21, 2026 graduating 1,606 pioneer students, including 30 who earned First-Class honours, four years after the institution’s establishment.
Delta State Governor and Visitor to the University, Sheriff Oborevwori, announced immediate financial rewards for academic excellence, disclosing that each First-Class graduate would receive N500,000. The Best Graduating Student will receive an additional N5 million cash award.
The Governor also approved the Vice Chancellor’s request to convert the Mother and Child Hospital, General Hospital Agbor, and Diagnostic Centre, Owa-Alero, into a University Teaching Hospital. The conversion is expected to facilitate full accreditation of the university’s medical programmes. Governor Oborevwori further pledged to donate a coaster bus to address the institution’s transportation needs.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Governor described the occasion as a watershed moment that validated the establishment of state universities in Delta. “Today’s event celebrates a young institution that has moved decisively from conception to consolidation,” Oborevwori said. “Delta State now hosts well over 100,000 students across its tertiary institutions, stimulating job creation, commerce and service delivery in ways that were previously unimaginable.”
The Governor acknowledged his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, whose administration established the university in 2021.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Stella Chiemeke reported that the 1,606 graduates were drawn from seven faculties across the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions. She confirmed that all graduating students would receive their certificates and transcripts on convocation day.
Prof. Chiemeke highlighted institutional achievements including full accreditation of all academic programmes by the National Universities Commission, international collaborations, and improved infrastructure. She noted that approximately 4,000 indigent students benefited from loans under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund during the current academic session.
The Vice Chancellor also announced that UNIDEL ranked third best in Nigeria for sustainability and placed within the 801–1000 band globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. Over 180 academics from the university were featured in the 2026 AD Scientific Index.
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Emeritus Prof. Emmanuel A. C. Nwanze, described the convocation as a moment for stock-taking and commended staff and students for their resilience.
During the ceremony, the Governor was formally decorated as Visitor to the University and was honoured with a university award of recognition alongside 17 other eminent Nigerians. Awardees included Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Zenith Bank Chairman Mr Jim Ovia, Niger Delta Development Commission Chairman Barr Chiedu Ebie, and former Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission Mr Chris Maiyaki.
Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, speaking on behalf of the awardees, expressed appreciation for the honour and commended Governor Oborevwori’s continued support for the three state-owned universities established in 2021.
The overall Best Graduating Student, Victoria Uzoma of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Department of Business Administration, graduated with a Grade Point Average of 4.97.
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