By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Delta State University, Abraka, has outlined sweeping reforms and achievements under the leadership of its Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Asagba, who says his mission is to transform the institution through strong governance, innovation, quality education and inclusive engagement.
The VC, who highlighted DELSU’s long-standing vision to advance learning, research and service to humanity, recalled his early familiarisation visits across faculties and the health centre, where he gathered insights directly from staff to shape the university’s future.
He said several strategic appointments, including two Deputy Vice Chancellors, new heads of departments and directors, were made based on competence, equity, youth inclusion and the need to strengthen administrative performance.
To curb waste and improve efficiency, Asagba inaugurated two key committees—a revenue monitoring committee to prevent leakages and a direct labour and facilities maintenance committee to reduce outsourcing and save cost.
He noted significant progress in ICT, including a new result engine, integrated portal upgrades, online payments for certificates, enhanced examination centres with over 600 systems, and improved internet services across campuses.
The VC also highlighted ongoing infrastructural projects such as renovated lecture halls, upgraded laboratories, new office spaces, an improved road network, and the construction of major academic buildings designed to ease student congestion.
He listed newly created centres including the Centre for Farm Management, Centre for National Linkages, and Centre for Product Development as part of DELSU’s expansion to boost research and community impact.
Professor Asagba further disclosed massive promotions and training across staff categories, noting that 22 academic staff were elevated to the rank of professor, 17 to associate professor, while over 300 non-teaching staff also received promotions and appointments.
He revealed that over 3,000 staff benefited from the university’s free Medicare programme, saying the school medical unit discovered several illnesses and helped staff get early treatment. He urged workers to take medical checks seriously.
On internationalisation, he listed collaborations with universities in Canada, South Africa, China and the United States, as well as the appointment of foreign-based virtual lecturers, which contributed to DELSU being rated the No.1 state university in Nigeria for 2026.
Professor Asagba also expressed concern that some lecturers travelled abroad on study leave, approval, or the “japa syndrome” but did not return, prompting him to order the stoppage of their salaries. He added that the EFCC recently warned all Vice Chancellors to stay away from students’ loan funds because some VCs mismanaged such funds in the past.
The VC finally raised alarm that over 50,000 certificates are lying unclaimed in the university, some for more than 20 years, saying graduates including some staff only remember their certificates when job interviews come up. He said although the ₦80,000 charge for long-abandoned certificates “may not be too much,” he would review it to ease collection.