Jacob Oboreh hands over as Southern Delta University as Sunny Awhefeada takes charge

* We’ll build SDU to a model, pacesetting 21st Century University, says new VC

By Florence Chukwuebuni and Ajiri-Oghene Oreh

SOUTHERN Delta University, Ozoro, on Monday, May 4, 2026, recorded a historic milestone with the seamless transition of leadership from its founding Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jacob Snapps Oboreh, to his successor, Prof. Sunny Awhefeada, marking the end of a transformative era defined by exceptional growth and development. Oboreh exits office leaving behind a remarkable financial and infrastructural legacy, having grown the institution from a modest ₦100 million take-off grant into a ₦161 billion university in assets and capital base, an achievement widely described as unprecedented.

The event began with a guided tour of the university’s facilities, where the outgoing vice chancellor conducted his successor around major infrastructural landmarks, including the Vice Chancellor’s Lodge, principal officers’ quarters, administrative complexes, and fully furnished student hostels.

The formal handover ceremony, held at the Vice Chancellor’s Chambers, commenced with an opening prayer by Ven. Nelson Emebenyo. In his address, Oboreh welcomed dignitaries, including Awhefeada and his wife, Prof. Ufuoma Awhefeada, alongside academic leaders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.

He expressed deep appreciation to former Governor of Delta State, Senator Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, for appointing him as pioneer vice chancellor, and to the current Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, for sustained support and infrastructural advancement, including the approval of the ultra-modern Orereokpe campus.

Reflecting on his tenure, Oboreh highlighted key achievements, noting that the university remains debt-free, pays staff salaries consistently, and has expanded its academic offerings from 45 to 89 programmes, with 59 fully accredited and others scheduled for accreditation in October 2026. He emphasized that most infrastructural developments were driven by internally generated revenue.

He further advised the incoming Vice Chancellor Awhefeada to prioritise the expansion in student accommodation, staff housing, and academic facilities such as laboratories and workshops, before formally handing over the institution’s operational documents.

In his acceptance speech, Awhefeada commended Oboreh’s visionary leadership and solid foundation. He expressed gratitude to God and the Delta State Government for enabling his appointment and pledged to build a modern, globally competitive university.

He also acknowledged key stakeholders, including the outgoing Registrar, Mrs. Stella Muoboghare, Prof. Justina Oboreh, and members of the university community.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Prof. Douglason Omotor praised Oboreh for his outstanding service and called for his continued support for the new administration.

The ceremony concluded with a thanksgiving mass at the Annunciation Catholic Church within the university, symbolizing the rededication of the institution to God as a new chapter begins under the leadership of Awhefeada.

Wife of the new VC, Prof. Ufuoma Awhefeada (left); new VC, Prof. Sunny Awhefeada and his predessesor, Prof. Jacob Schnapp Oboreh during facility tour of Southern Delta University, Ozoro

THE new Vice-Chancellor, who has formally assumed duty, promised to build the institution to a model, pacesetting 21st Century University. Awhefeada made the pledge on Monday during his acceptance speech shortly after the handover ceremony led by the former Vice Chancellor, Oboreh.

In his brief speech, the new vice chancellor paid glowing tribute to the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Sen. Okowa for his visionary leadership that led to the setting up of the three new founded state universities.

He said, “When they were founded in 2021, there were misgivings as people felt universities were being proliferated, but Dr. Okowa, the astute administrator that he is, saw tomorrow and knew Delta State needed more than one state university.

“And that vision birthed the Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba, University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor and the then Delta State University of Science and Technology, now Southern Delta University (SDU), Ozoro. So I thank Sen. Okowa for that vision.”

Awhefeada further commended the incumbent Governor and Visitor of SDU, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for displaying sound judgment in turning the defunct Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro into a conventional university.

In his words, “I also must move on to thank the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, who weaned this university of its science and technology DNA, and converted it into a conventional university and renaming it Southern Delta University, Ozoro.

“Most of you will not know, if not for that singular action by our foresighted and visionary Governor, Rt. Hon. Oborevwori, ‘Prof. Sunny Awhefeada’ would not have been qualified to be the vice chancellor of this university. Awhefeada is a professor of the Humanities. That University of Science and Technology has no place for the Humanities. We would only come here to teach the ‘Use of English’ course which will not earn you a promotion.

“So, I thank Governor Oborevwori for ensuring that transition from Science and Technology to something holistic, a conventional university, the Southern Delta university, Ozoro with a campus at Orerokpe.”

The new vice chancellor expressed appreciation to his predecessor, Oboreh who he described has an ‘empire builder’, promising to build on the legacy he met.

He stated, “During the course of my interview for the position of vice chancellor, I prepared a ‘Mission Statement’ and a ‘Vision’ which aligned with the ideals of Delta State, which aligned with the ideals of Nigeria, which speaks to the Magic the Black Man can do.

“Take it to the bank, and you can verify this thing: we did that Magic with the Faculty of Arts, DELSU, Abraka, when I was Dean. We also did that Magic at the Postgraduate School in DELSU for the 2 years I was Dean. We are going to replicate the Magic at Southern Delta University, Ozoro.

“What I am promising humanity today is that, based on what the founding Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oboreh has done, we are going to build a model, a pacesetting 21st century university. And the world will know that there is a university in this country, Nigeria.” Awhefeada promised.

In his handover notes remark, the founding Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oboreh remarked that, “My tenure ends today, and I am handing over to Prof. Sunny Awhefeada who God chose to succeed me. The imperative of the handover notes is to ensure seamless administration of the university, and that there will be no vacuum.”

Those present at the handover ceremony and reception were the Chairman of Ughelli North Council, Chief Jaro Egbo, Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Prof. Ezekiel O. Agbalagba, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Delta State University, Abraka, Prof, Hilary Owamah, Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara, Prof Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, the Rector, Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, Burutu, Prof. James Okoro.

Others were the Orator of DELSU, Abraka, Prof. Enajite Ojaruega, staff and students English and Literary Studies Department, DELSU, Abraka, Executive Members of Orogun Kingdom, the Councilor representing Otibio Ward 20 in Isoko North Legislative Arm, Hon. Ajiri-Oghene Oreh, among others.

* Dr. Chukwuebuni is the university’s Acting Director, Public Relations Officer while Hon. Oreh is the Councilor representing Otibio Ward 20 in Isoko North Legislative Arm