Education
Oborevwori Inaugurates Key Infrastructure at Southern Delta University
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Saturday inaugurated a series of landmark projects at Southern Delta University, Ozoro, as part of activities marking the institution’s maiden convocation ceremony.
The commissioned projects include a block of science laboratories, the Faculty of Computing Complex, the Pa James Odhokpa Izomor Engineering Workshops comprising 10 fully equipped workshops donated by Engineer Godwin Izomor, male and female hostels, and the Faculty of Medical Sciences building constructed by the Delta State Government.
Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Oborevwori expressed gratitude to God for the milestone and commended the university for its steady growth within a short period.
“I am very pleased to be here today. First and foremost, I thank Almighty God for making this occasion possible, and I commend Southern Delta University for this remarkable achievement,” he said.
The governor disclosed that he began the day’s engagements before 9 a.m. with the commissioning of key facilities, including laboratories and workshops for the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and the Faculty of Computing Complex.
He described the engineering workshops built through private initiative in memory of Pa James Izomor as particularly inspiring, noting that the gesture represents a meaningful investment in education and human capital development.
“While many invest their wealth in luxury and showmanship, this family chose to invest in education. This is highly commendable, and I pray that God will continue to bless them,” he stated.
Governor Oborevwori also praised the Vice-Chancellor, Jacob Oboreh, the Governing Council and the university management for what he described as prudent and transparent management of the institution’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which he said has translated into visible infrastructural development.
“I am particularly impressed with the prudent use of Internally Generated Revenue by the University management. I encourage Vice-Chancellors of other universities to emulate this example,” he added, reaffirming that the institution is authorised to manage and deploy its IGR for developmental purposes.
Reflecting on the Faculty of Medical Sciences project, the governor recalled inspecting the building last year and promising that the faculty would be provided with a befitting structure and conducive learning environment.
“Today, I am glad to say that this promise has been fulfilled. The quality of work delivered here speaks volumes. This is a promise made and a promise kept,” he said.
He described the Medical Sciences project as critical to advancing medical education and scientific research in the state.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor Professor Oboreh disclosed that several of the projects were executed through internally generated revenue and direct labour, a strategy he said ensured cost-effectiveness and quality control.
He thanked Governor Oborevwori for his consistent funding and support, which he noted had enabled the young institution to achieve significant infrastructural and academic milestones within a short period.
The inauguration of the projects marked a major highlight of the university’s historic maiden convocation, underscoring the state government’s commitment to strengthening tertiary education and providing modern facilities to enhance learning and innovation in Delta State.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to education, describing the sector as a central pillar of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Olushola Oladoja when the NANS Leadership paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Staff, in the State House Abuja. Friday February 27, 2026
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, gave the assurance on Friday when the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) paid him a courtesy visit at the State House, Abuja.
Gbajabiamila urged student leaders nationwide to reciprocate government investments in education by intensifying advocacy against social vices on campuses, particularly drug abuse, cultism and prostitution. He stressed that universities and colleges are not only centres of academic learning but also institutions for character development.
According to him, President Tinubu considers the fight against social vices a national priority, noting that a special committee has been set up to address rising concerns in secondary and tertiary institutions.
“Education is one of the pillars of this administration. We believe in the youths — in your energy and capacity — and we do not pay lip service to issues that affect you,” Gbajabiamila said. “I want to charge you to make moral reorientation part of your engagement with fellow students.”
The Chief of Staff commended the NANS leadership for its proactive and constructive engagement with government and encouraged the association to promote moral values as an unwritten code of campus culture.
He also disclosed that sustained dialogue between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has resulted in a lasting agreement, helping to maintain stability in the university system. He noted that Nigeria is approaching three years without a nationwide university strike.
Gbajabiamila recalled his experience as Speaker of the House of Representatives, where he participated in negotiations with ASUU during periods of frequent industrial actions that prolonged students’ academic programmes.
Highlighting government interventions, he pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, saying the student loan scheme is enabling indigent students to remain in school.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, reiterated the Presidency’s commitment to sustained dialogue with students and to restoring predictable academic calendars.
Speaking on behalf of the students, NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, commended President Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented support for Nigerian students. He said improved engagement with ASUU and the implementation of the student loan scheme have helped stabilise tertiary education, with many four-year programmes now running their full course without disruption.
Oladoja disclosed that over 900,000 students have benefited from the loan scheme. He also cited recent security interventions, including the approval of perimeter fencing for vulnerable institutions following reports of hostel incursions.
While pledging continued support for government policies, the NANS president said the association would sustain its conflict-resolution framework. He also requested an audience with the President, sought palliatives for students during the fasting seasons, and appealed for increased job opportunities for young graduates.
Oladoja further informed the Presidency of plans to hold a major student gathering in Abuja to publicly endorse the President’s policies, pledging that NANS would continue to promote peace and constructive dialogue across campuses.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has released fresh guidelines regulating the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria.
In a public notice issued Thursday, the Commission cited the growing incidence of indiscriminate conferment and misuse of honorary degrees within the Nigerian University System as the reason for the new framework.
The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, said the guidelines were approved in line with the Education Act and resolutions of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, including the 2012 Keffi Declaration.
Under the new rules, only approved universities that have graduated at least one set of PhD students can confer honorary doctorates. Institutions are limited to a maximum of three awards per convocation, and no fees must be charged.
The NUC also barred recipients from using the title “Dr.”, stressing that honorary degrees are non-earned distinctions and not equivalent to academic or medical doctorates.
The Commission warned that sanctions would be imposed on institutions that violate the guidelines, following an investigation that uncovered 32 entities operating as honorary degree mills.
A 10-year-old Primary Five pupil of Diamond Specialist School, Owerri, Jeffery Obinna, has emerged winner of the fourth edition of the Smart Kids Mathematics Competition organised by Shekinah British International School (SBIS), Ihiagwa, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
The competition, held in Owerri, rewarded the champion with ₦500,000 cash, a ₦15 million education scholarship grant and a brand new laptop.
Two other pupils — Okwaraoka Chinedu and Jekwu Ebere, both aged 10 and from Limitless School, Owerri — clinched the second and third positions respectively. They received ₦300,000 and ₦200,000 cash prizes, alongside brand new laptops. About 20 other participants received consolation prizes.
The initiative, sponsored by the Chairman/CEO of SBIS, Chief Dr. Obinna Smart Unegbu, provided free online registration to ensure broad participation by interested pupils across the state, regardless of background or location.
Participating schools included Living Word Academy, Rosykids, White Label School, Great Achievers School, New Day School, Dayton’s Montessori Academy, Our World International School, Great Excel, Milky Way and Best Kids Montessori School, among others.
Out of 145 pupils who took part in the first stage, only eight finalists advanced after screening and a keenly contested Computer-Based Test (CBT).
Speaking at the event, the Imo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. B.T.O. Ikegwuoha, who was represented by the Director of School Sports in the ministry, Mr. Joseph Chukwuemeka Nwonu, described the initiative as a major step toward rekindling interest in mathematics among young learners, many of whom tend to favour arts-related subjects.
He commended SBIS for setting a standard worthy of emulation by both public and private schools and reaffirmed the state government’s willingness to partner with initiatives that promote academic excellence.
In his remarks, SBIS Chairman, Unegbu, said the competition was borne out of a passion to nurture a new generation of mathematicians capable of transforming society. He noted that many pupils perceive mathematics as difficult, stressing the need to build strong foundational skills early.
Expressing gratitude, the winner, Jeffery Obinna, thanked God, his teachers and the school’s management for the opportunity.
“I thank the proprietor of Shekinah British International School for giving me the scholarship, the computer and the cash prize. May God replenish him,” he said, adding that the victory has motivated him to aim higher in his academic pursuits.
Some mathematics teachers at the event, including Mr. Amadi Chigozie of Award International Nursery and Primary School, Owerri, and Mr. Kalu Michael John of Limitless School, described the competition as a milestone in boosting awareness and strengthening mathematical competence among pupils.
The event drew commendations from stakeholders who described it as a laudable effort to promote excellence in science and mathematics education in Imo State.