Kpangban Retires From DELSU, Receives SVC Award

By Moses Darah

Prof. Emperor Kpangban on Thursday, January 15, 2026, retired from the services of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, at the age of 70, bringing to a close a distinguished academic career defined by decades of teaching, research, and administrative leadership.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to education and his enduring commitment to institutional development, he was honoured with an award of appreciation by St. Vincent’s College (SVC), Okwagbe Old Students’ Alumni Association, his alma mater.

A respected scholar of curriculum and instruction, Prof. Kpangban earned a reputation as a dedicated educationist whose work helped shape teacher education and programme evaluation in Nigeria. He began his academic journey with a Nigeria Certificate in Education from the College of Education, Abraka, and later obtained a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Benin. He proceeded to the University of Manchester for a Master’s degree in Teacher Education and subsequently earned a PhD in Educational Evaluation from the University of Ibadan.

He joined Delta State University in the early 1990s and rose steadily through the academic ranks, becoming a professor in 2007. During his years of service, he held several key positions within the university, including Head of Department, Director of the Sandwich Programme, Director of General Studies, Director of the Institute of Education, and Director of the JUPEB programme. He also served as Dean of the Faculty of Education and was an active member of both the University Senate and Governing Council.

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Throughout his career, Prof. Kpangban focused on curriculum development, teacher preparation, and educational evaluation, publishing widely in scholarly journals and contributing significantly to academic discourse in his field. He is widely regarded as a mentor to generations of students and younger academics, many of whom have gone on to make meaningful contributions to the education sector.

Beyond the university, Prof. Kpangban is a member of Ukoko R’Emotor and the Urhobo Studies Association. He played an instrumental role in the development of the Urhobo Language curriculum and scheme of work for both primary and secondary schools, contributing to the preservation, teaching, and promotion of the Urhobo language, literature and culture.

The award from SVC Okwagbe Old Students’ Association celebrates not only his professional accomplishments but also his lifelong commitment to scholarship, service, and the advancement of education. Colleagues, former students, and well-wishers have continued to pay tribute to his legacy, describing his retirement as the end of an era marked by impactful service and intellectual leadership at Delta State University.