Delta Govt Approves New Hostels for UNIDEL, DELSU, Re-awards Abandoned Senate Building

The Delta State Government has approved new hostel facilities for students of the University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor, and Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, while the long-abandoned DELSU Senate Building has been re-awarded for completion.

The Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyerhovwo Tonukari, disclosed this on Monday during an oversight tour of the state-owned universities, which took him to UNIDEL, Agbor, and DELSU, Abraka.

At UNIDEL, Tonukari was received by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eric Eboh, alongside other principal officers of the institution.

The visit coincided with the university’s annual Day of Prayer and the assumption of duties by newly appointed Deans of Faculties.

Addressing the university community, Tonukari commended the institution for its progress and reaffirmed the commitment of the Sheriff Oborevwori administration to promoting research and innovation in the state’s higher institutions.

He disclosed that the Ministry of Higher Education had made budgetary provisions for research grants for all state-owned universities, urging UNIDEL to strengthen its research capacity while exploring opportunities to improve internally generated revenue.

UNIDEL Gets Two New Hostels

The Commissioner announced that UNIDEL would benefit from two new hostel facilities for male and female students.

He said the contract for the male hostel had already been awarded, while approval had been secured for the construction of the female hostel.

Tonukari also encouraged students to take advantage of the Federal Government’s NELFUND loan scheme, which he said covers tuition and provides beneficiaries with a monthly stipend of N20,000.

On staff welfare, the Commissioner acknowledged the contributions of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIDEL chapter, and disclosed that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had approved the payment of outstanding salary arrears by the end of September 2026.

He urged the union to continue supporting the government and avoid actions that could lead to industrial disruption.

UNIDEL Admissions Ongoing

Earlier, UNIDEL Vice Chancellor, Professor Eric Eboh, informed the Commissioner that the university had commenced online admissions and released its first merit list, with the admission process still ongoing.

Eboh also restated the institution’s five-pillar RAISE agenda, which focuses on Research and Innovation, Academic Excellence, ICT Optimisation, Staff Development and Welfare, and an Enabling Environment.

The vote of thanks was delivered by the Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Mrs. Felicia Mbah, who appreciated the state government for its support and called for sustained efforts to improve the university’s ranking.

DELSU Senate Building Re-awarded

At DELSU, Abraka, Tonukari was received by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Asagba, and other university officials.

The Commissioner assured the institution that the issues raised during the visit would be forwarded to Governor Oborevwori for consideration.

He announced that the long-abandoned DELSU Senate Building had been re-awarded, with the contractor already mobilised with 40 per cent of the contract sum.

Tonukari also disclosed that approval had been given for the construction of 500-capacity male and female hostels at DELSU, with the contract award expected to follow shortly.

The Commissioner said the university’s electricity challenge, including its reported monthly electricity bill of N54 million, as well as other capital projects, would also be communicated to the Governor for possible intervention.

He reiterated the Delta State Government’s commitment to continued investment in DELSU and urged the institution to pursue research and projects capable of enhancing its visibility internationally.

DELSU Seeks Government Intervention

Earlier, the DELSU Vice Chancellor noted that the university was currently ranked as the number one state-owned university in Nigeria.

He said the institution was undergoing reforms but faced challenges, including outstanding government refunds and the need for additional academic and non-academic staff following the creation of new faculties and departments.

Asagba also raised concerns over the practice of “sign-out” celebrations by graduating students, describing it as a security threat and appealing to the government to consider banning the practice.

The Commissioner was accompanied on the oversight tour by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Mrs. Felicia Rume Urugbo, and other senior officials of the ministry.