The Vice-Chancellor of Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba, Professor Ben E.A. Oghojafor, has announced the institution’s maiden convocation ceremony, an event he describes as a defining milestone in the university’s rapid evolution into a formidable academic force in Delta State.
Addressing journalists on Monday, March 2, 2026, at the university’s main auditorium in Asaba, Professor Oghojafor outlined a week-long series of activities culminating in the formal conferment of degrees on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
The ceremony, he said, represents not merely a graduation exercise, but the celebration of a bold vision steadily becoming reality.
Reflecting on the university’s journey since its establishment in 2021, the Vice-Chancellor noted the remarkable transformation of the institution within a short span of time. “We have come a long way,” he stated.
“From a modest enrollment of 651 students at inception to over 5,800 students in the current academic session, our growth speaks clearly of our commitment to academic excellence and institutional development.”
Today, DOU boasts 86 academic programmes across six faculties, supported by 467 academic staff.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, all programmes have secured full accreditation, while 35 are awaiting final decisions, an indication, he said, of the university’s steady academic consolidation.
This maiden convocation will see 416 graduates from 28 programmes receive their degrees. The graduating class includes: 25 First Class Honours
167 Second Class Honours (Upper Division), 185 Second Class Honours (Lower Division) and 39 Third Class Honours
Standing out among them is the overall best graduating student, Regina Chukwufunmanya Mike-Ogisi, who has already qualified as a chartered accountant, an achievement the Vice-Chancellor described as emblematic of the university’s commitment to producing industry-ready graduates.
Professor Oghojafor highlighted the university’s infrastructural and academic advancements, including modern faculty blocks, student halls of residence, and a fully digitized library equipped with contemporary learning resources and uninterrupted power supply.
He also emphasized the institution’s deliberate focus on innovation, particularly in computing and allied medical sciences.
“Our goal,” he stressed, “is to produce graduates who are globally competitive yet locally relevant.”
Central to that vision is DOU’s entrepreneurship programme, which is designed to cultivate job creators rather than job seekers. The university has also strengthened its academic depth by attracting visiting professors and lecturers from established institutions across the country.
The convocation activities will unfold as follows: Convocation Lecture – Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM; Founder’s Day Lecture – Friday, March 6, 2026; Degree Award Ceremony – Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 10:00am.
Additional events include an exhibition and alumni reception, creating avenues for collaboration, networking, and public engagement with the university’s facilities and achievements.
Expressing appreciation to the Delta State Government and particularly former Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa for the opportunity to serve as pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oghojafor described his tenure as “a sour and sweet experience”, challenging yet deeply fulfilling.
He reaffirmed the institution’s trajectory:
“Our growth is driven by diligence, hard work, and a carefully nurtured vision. We are intentional about producing graduates who are worthy in learning and in character.”
With its maiden convocation, Dennis Osadebay University signals not just the graduation of its first set of students, but the arrival of a young institution determined to carve out a lasting legacy in Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
