UNIDEL Awards 30 First-Class Degrees at Maiden Convocation

The University of Delta, Agbor (UNIDEL) has graduated 30 First-Class students at its maiden convocation ceremony, marking a historic milestone four years after the institution was established.

At the colourful ceremony held on Saturday, Delta State Governor and Visitor to the University, Sheriff Oborevwori, announced major incentives to reward academic excellence and strengthen the institution’s growth.

The Governor disclosed that the Best Graduating Student would receive a ₦5 million cash award, while each First-Class graduate would be rewarded with ₦500,000, payable immediately.

He also approved the request of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stella Chiemeke, for the conversion of the Mother and Child Hospital, General Hospital, Agbor and Diagnostic Centre, Owa-Alero, into a University Teaching Hospital, a key requirement for full accreditation of UNIDEL’s medical programmes.

In addition, he pledged the donation of a coaster bus and a hostel block to improve transportation and accommodation.

Describing the convocation as a watershed moment, Oborevwori said the ceremony symbolised more than the award of degrees.

“Today’s event celebrates a young institution that has moved decisively from conception to consolidation. 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.”

He noted that the establishment of UNIDEL and other state-owned universities in 2021, an initiative championed by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has been vindicated by rising enrolment and socio-economic impact.

In her address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stella Chiemeke, revealed that 1,606 students from seven faculties graduated across the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions, all found worthy in character and learning.

She announced that all graduating students received their certificates and transcripts on convocation day, adding that the university has secured full accreditation for all its programmes from the National Universities Commission.

She further disclosed that about 4,000 indigent students benefitted from loans under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund in the current academic session, easing financial pressure on families.

Despite being a young institution, UNIDEL ranked third best in Nigeria for sustainability and placed within the 801–1000 band globally in the Times Higher EducationImpact Rankings, while over 180 academics featured in the 2026 AD Scientific Index.

Governor Oborevwori was formally decorated as Visitor to the University in line with the enabling law and honoured alongside 17 other eminent Nigerians, including Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Okowa commended the Governor for sustaining the vision behind the establishment of three state-owned universities in 2021, noting that continued policy support has expanded access to higher education for thousands of young people across Delta State.

The overall best graduating student, Victoria Uzoma of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Department of Business Administration, emerged with an outstanding GPA of 4.97 and, in an emotional reflection, attributed her academic achievement to divine grace.