DELSU Vice Chancellor Commends President Tinubu on NELFUND

Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU), Professor Samuel Asagba, has applauded President Bola Tinubu for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing it as a timely intervention that is positively transforming the lives of students.

Presenting his scorecard during an interactive session with journalists to mark his one year in office, Asagba said DELSU students have been receiving their funds promptly, noting that the scheme remained a “laudable project.”

He recalled that Vice-Chancellors were recently invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following reports of mismanaged disbursements in some schools, but insisted DELSU maintained transparency.

The Vice-Chancellor also revealed that the university is seeking public-private partnerships to build new hostels capable of accommodating at least 50 per cent of its student population.

Asagba expressed concern over more than 50,000 uncollected certificates—some abandoned for over two decades—stating that many graduates only remember them when applying for jobs.

He said the university may review the current N80,000 certificate collection fee but argued that the amount was not excessive considering the long period many certificates remained unclaimed.

The VC further disclosed that salaries of lecturers who traveled abroad but failed to resume duties have been stopped, stressing that the institution will not fund absenteeism.

On staff welfare, he highlighted the success of the university’s free medical programme, which has provided screenings and treatment to over 3,000 workers. He noted that early detection remains critical, as many staff members tend to ignore symptoms until they become severe.

Asagba listed other achievements—including mass staff promotions, upgraded ICT facilities with more than 1,000 new computer systems, and new global partnerships with universities in South Africa, Canada, China and the United States—which contributed to DELSU’s recognition by Times Higher Education as Nigeria’s best state university in 2026.

He said the reforms align with his goal of making DELSU a centre of academic excellence, innovation, sustainability and strong governance.