DOU to graduate 416 students, records 25 first class , set for maiden convocation

By Andy Emephia

A total of 416 candidates drawn from 28 programmes in the Faculties of Agriculture , Arts , Behavioural Sciences, Computing , Environmental Sciences , Management Sciences and Sciences, will participate in the maiden convocation of the Dennis Osadebay University ( DOU) , Asaba , on Saturday 7th March , 2026.

Of this number , 25 persons bagged First Class Honours , 167 Second Class Honours ( Upper Division), 185 Second Class Lower Division, and 39 Third Class Degrees, respectively  .

Giving this breakdown during a Pre-Convocation Press briefing at the University's Main Auditorium Complex, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ben Oghojafor disclosed that , from a modest initial enrolment of 651 students upon the University,s opening to academic activities on February 12, 2021, the student population has increased in geometric progression to 1589 students in the 2022/2023 session , 2994 in the 2023/2024 session, a quantum leap to 4408 in the 2024/2025 session, and 5835 in the current 2025/2026 session , thus bringing the total number of student enrolment from the inception of the institution, to 15,472 students.

Prof Oghojafor attributed the successes recorded under his watch as pioneer Vice Chancellor , despite inheriting "near zero facilities and only a handful of staff" , to diligence, hard work, vision nurturing and mission centeredness, pursued vigorously , under the grace of the Almighty God .

The DOU Vice Chancellor emphasized that being charged with the responsibility of teaching , learning , and molding characters, management is therefore, intentional about producing students who are worthy in learning and character, globally competitive , yet locally significant , adding also that "we have been able to progress from an initial number of 46 programmes of study to 86 programmes now, ..all our programmes of study have full accreditation , except 35 programmes that are awaiting decision because their accreditation exercise only took place late in 2025".

He disclosed that the institution's infrastructure has greatly improved from the then archaic ecosystem with toyish , rusty , and mushroom structures upon assuming duties as pioneer Vice Chancellor, to "properly fitted physical structures befitting a University of repute".

Said Oghojafor : "Today , as we graduate our first set of enrolled bona-fide students, we also have, properly fitted physical structures befitting a University of repute. We have amongst other structures, exciting edifices like the Administrative building , faculty blocks , including but not limited to Agriculture, Arts , Behavioural Sciences, Environmental Sciences  abd Management Sciences. Equally, new student halls have been constructed and now we can accommodate up to 2000 students. The library is the engine house of academics and research. We have not only founded a new library , but have at the same time given it a remarkable touch of advancement that places it amongst the most modern digital libraries ".

The Vice Chancellor also disclosed that in the course of the institution's growth, premium and five star courses , especially in Allied Medical Sciences and Computing , were designed

He said students can run programmes in complicated digital and cyber sciences and engineering , while the highly sought after courses in Nursing Sciences and Optometry , are available choices in the institution

The VC stated that systems that encourage professionalism have been concretized , with memoranda of understanding with a number of professional and certification bodies secured, citing the best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.95, Mike Ogisi Regina Chukwufunnanya, who has passed all relevant examinations and has become a chartered accountant while an undergraduate of Dennis Osadebay University.

Oghojafor who expressed his gratitude to immediate past Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa , for the opportunity to steer the affairs of the institution for the past five years, also commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori , for sustaining the continued facelift of the school in line with his MORE agenda for Renewed Hope mantra.

Present during the Vice Chancellor's Present during the Vice Chancellor's Pre-Convocation press conference , were the Registrar, Mrs Genevieve Isioma Obadan, the University Librarian , Dr Nelson Edewor, Bursar , Mr Okolo Emmanuel Okolo, and Chairman Senate and Ceremonials Committee, Prof Chimdi Maduagwu.

The Chairman of the Governing Council of the University , Prof R.B Ikomi led other members , Prof Sam Ogege , Dr Chris Onyemenam, Prof Arnold Ojugo, Dr O Ovarhe , Ms Awani, and Mrs B.O Orovwuje , to witness the press conference .