Delta Lawmakers Augoye, Onwo Earn PhDs from Novena University

Two esteemed members of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon James Augoye and Hon Ferguson Onwo, have achieved an outstanding academic milestone by earning Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Public Administration from Novena University, Ogume, located in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State.

The lawmakers, who represent Okpe and Isoko South II constituencies respectively, successfully defended their doctoral theses before a panel of examiners on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Hon Augoye, who serves as Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, presented his thesis titled “Performance Appraisal of the Administration of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Selected States.”

Meanwhile, Hon Onwo, a former Majority Leader and current Chairman, House Committee on Health, focused his research on “Petroleum Subsidy Removal and Cost of Living in Nigeria: A Study of the South-South Geopolitical Zone.”

The panel of examiners commended both lawmakers for their impressive and policy-relevant research, noting that their work contributes meaningfully to governance and Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

Dr. Ndubuisi Johnson, Head of the Department of Political Science, praised their dedication and intellectual depth.

“This achievement underscores the value of continuous learning in leadership and public administration, as the lawmakers join the growing list of public officials in Delta State who have combined governance with academic excellence,” Prof. Johnson stated.

Expressing gratitude, the elated lawmakers attributed their success to divine grace.

They said they “returned all the glory to God as Him alone made possible what seemed to be a very difficult task at the beginning of the academic process.”

They also extended appreciation to their families, colleagues, and associates for their unwavering support throughout their academic journey.

The scholars’ accomplishment is being celebrated across Delta State’s political and academic circles as a remarkable example of leadership blended with scholarship.