DELSU: Pioneer DVC Of Research And Innovation Praises VC, Outlines Mandate

ABRAKA — The pioneer Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Professor Douglas Omotor, has commended Vice-Chancellor Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba for what he described as visionary leadership and a clear commitment to repositioning the institution, while unveiling his mandate and a comprehensive development strategy focused on digital transformation, research commercialisation, infrastructure expansion and innovation.

Professor Omotor, who assumed office in April 2026, made the disclosures on Thursday during an exclusive interview with Oasis Magazine in his office at the university’s Site II campus.

A Professor of Economics who spent more than a decade on leave of absence at an institute owned by the West African Central Bank, Omotor said he accepted the Vice-Chancellor’s invitation to return to DELSU because they share the same vision of building a modern, globally competitive university.

Although the decision came with financial implications, he said he was willing to make the sacrifice because he believed in Professor Asagba’s leadership and determination to move the university forward.

In his words, “Money is not everything. I also like taking challenges. Because of the vision we share and because he means well for the development of this university, I had to make that sacrifice.”

The DVC described his transition into office as seamless, attributing it to the cooperation he has received from the Vice-Chancellor, fellow Deputy Vice-Chancellors and other principal officers of the university.

He said the administration has already begun making noticeable progress, pointing to DELSU’s recent recognition in the Times Higher Education rankings as evidence that the institution is moving in the right direction.

Digital Transformation to End Bureaucratic Bottlenecks

Professor Omotor said one of the administration’s major priorities is the digital transformation of the university’s operations in order to improve efficiency, reduce administrative costs and eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks.

He disclosed that by the end of the current academic session, student clearance would be conducted entirely online, ending multiple physical clearance processes that have often delayed students and created opportunities for extortion.

According to him, several existing clearance procedures have become unnecessary and expose students and parents to avoidable financial burdens.

He said: “For every bureaucracy you create, if not properly handled, it has a monetary consequence. Once you reduce this interpersonal contact, it’s going to reduce a lot. Students are being extorted in some of these areas, and parents complain. Like the Vice-Chancellor says, those Egyptians, students will see them no more.”

He explained that the reforms would simplify student registration and clearance while reducing unnecessary interactions that often encourage unofficial charges.

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Professor Omotor also revealed that staff promotion exercises have been fully automated.

He noted that academic staff who were previously required to produce more than 65 hard copies of their curriculum vitae and scholarly publications for promotion assessment can now complete the entire process electronically, allowing assessors to review documents digitally from any location.

He described the initiative as one that would improve transparency, reduce costs and make the promotion process more efficient.

Research and Innovation Beyond the Classroom

Explaining his responsibilities as the pioneer Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Omotor said the office goes beyond supervising academic research.

According to him, the mandate includes driving innovation across the university, promoting institutional development, improving efficiency, generating revenue and creating partnerships capable of advancing the university’s global competitiveness.

He stressed that innovation is not limited to scientific discoveries but also covers better management practices, digital administration, improved teaching methods and cost reduction.

The DVC disclosed that the university is also exploring the deployment of ICT tools to monitor lecture attendance, improve classroom delivery and strengthen academic accountability among lecturers.

₦5bn–₦6bn Sports Complex in the Pipeline

One of the flagship projects under his office, Professor Omotor revealed, is the proposed construction of a world-class sports complex estimated to cost between ₦5 billion and ₦6 billion.

The project will be implemented in phases and is expected to be officially launched in October 2026.

The proposed facility will feature a mini stadium with a seating capacity of between 3,000 and 5,000 spectators, an Olympic-size swimming pool, lawn tennis courts and indoor sports facilities.

Professor Omotor explained that the university intends to fund the project through partnerships with philanthropists, alumni, corporate organisations, private investors and traditional rulers rather than placing additional financial burdens on students, parents or staff.

He disclosed that completed facilities would be named after major donors in recognition of their contributions, adding that discussions are already ongoing with several prominent individuals who have expressed interest in supporting the initiative.

According to him, one proposal is for a traditional ruler to sponsor the Olympic-size swimming pool, which would subsequently host annual swimming competitions involving participants from Delta State’s 25 local government areas.

He said the project would not only improve sports development within the university but also promote unity, youth engagement and talent discovery across the state.

Professor Omotor expressed confidence that substantial progress would be recorded before the expiration of Professor Asagba’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor.

Research Centres to Become Self-Sustaining

The DVC said the university has commenced a major restructuring of its research centres to ensure they become productive, innovative and financially sustainable.

He disclosed that directors of research institutes have been given clear performance milestones and would henceforth be subjected to quarterly evaluations to assess their productivity and contributions to the university.

According to him, one of the university’s research centres has already generated revenue for the first time in its more than 10-year history, describing the development as evidence that the new reforms are yielding positive results.

Omotor added: “If you are appointed a director and you are not meeting expectations, it is either you give way or that directorate is restructured. Research centres must attract funding, undertake research and generate revenue for the university.”

He also revealed plans to commercialise several university ventures, including the production of pig feed, as part of efforts to diversify the institution’s internally generated revenue.

Advanced Research Equipment Arrives from the United States

Professor Omotor announced that sophisticated scientific equipment recently procured from the United States has arrived in Nigeria and is currently being installed in renovated laboratories at DELSU’s Site II campus.

He said the equipment would significantly enhance the university’s research capacity by enabling advanced laboratory analyses, specialised testing services, consultancy and capacity-building programmes, particularly for the oil and gas industry.

According to him, the facilities would position DELSU to attract laboratory testing services that were previously carried out in institutions outside Delta State and even outside Nigeria.

He added that academic staff would undergo specialised training to ensure the equipment is effectively utilised and properly maintained.

Building a Better University Through Teamwork

Professor Omotor praised Professor Asagba’s extensive administrative experience, describing him as a visionary leader whose reforms are laying a solid foundation for the university’s future.

He emphasised that the university’s management team operates on the principle of collective responsibility rather than individual portfolios, insisting that every principal officer is committed to achieving the Vice-Chancellor’s vision.

Calling on alumni, philanthropists, traditional rulers, corporate organisations and friends of the university to support DELSU’s development, Professor Omotor said the institution belongs to everyone and should enjoy broad-based support.

“We are only trying to build a better university for everyone—for our children, our children’s children and generations yet unborn. This is a university, and together we can build an institution that will be recognised across the world,” he concluded.