How Professor Asagba Is Changing The Narrative In DELSU (Part 1)

By Akpobomeh Oghenerukevwe

Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba’s elevation to Vice-Chancellor is more than a change of guard, it is a transformation of ethos at Delta State University, Abraka. His journey from an Assistant Lecturer in 1994 to DELSU’s eighth substantive Vice-Chancellor reflects a career marked by scholarly dedication, unblemished integrity, and a track record of effective leadership that has been tested in virtually every administrative tier of the institution.

An alumnus of the University of Benin (B.Sc. 1986, Ph.D. 2001) and the University of Lagos (M.Sc. 1991), Professor Asagba is a scholar of Environmental Biochemistry and Toxicology whose research output speaks volumes. With over 1,500 citations, an h-index of 21, and an i10-index of 53, his academic footprint surpasses that of many of his contemporaries. Yet, his rise to the apex of university leadership is not built on publications alone; it is anchored on a management style that blends intellectual rigor with transparent, people-centred governance.

Over three decades, he has worn multiple hats: Head of Department (twice), Dean of Faculty of Science, Provost of the Asaba Campus, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), and even Dean at Dennis Osadebay University while on sabbatical. In each role, his hallmark has been prudent financial stewardship, collaborative problem-solving, and results-oriented decision-making. Whether reviving a dormant faculty journal into a revenue-generating asset or ensuring departmental surpluses through accountable budgeting, his administrative approach has consistently demonstrated that integrity and efficiency can go hand in hand.

As Vice-Chancellor, Professor Asagba is already shifting perceptions about what university leadership should look like. His appointment was heralded as a victory for transparency, an outcome of a merit-based, interference-free process that renewed confidence in DELSU’s internal governance. His open-door policy, inclusive management style, and respect for institutional processes are fostering a culture of trust among staff and students alike. In a climate where university politics can be mired in suspicion, this is no small achievement.

ALSO READ: Ojulari: True, True, Na Face Alone We Fit See…

But beyond administrative restructuring, Professor Asagba is also focused on repositioning DELSU academically. His tenure is shaping up to strengthen research visibility, enhance programme accreditation, and expand academic collaborations. By marrying his scholarly expertise with strategic leadership, he is setting DELSU on a path where academic excellence is not an aspiration but a standard.

In many ways, Professor Asagba represents a new archetype of university leadership in Nigeria, one that is scholarly yet pragmatic, visionary yet grounded in accountability, and inclusive without compromising on standards. His story is not merely one of personal success but of institutional renewal. DELSU, under his stewardship, is not just experiencing a change at the helm; it is undergoing a shift in culture, priorities, and expectations.

If this trajectory continues, his era may well be remembered not simply as an administrative tenure, but as a defining chapter in DELSU’s history, one in which the university’s ethos was recalibrated for the demands of the 21st century.