Well known for his steadfast adherence to principles and thorough leadership, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba stands very tall as a man of great moral rectitude. His style of leadership has distinguished him as a hardworking and an upright Nigerian.
Naturally zealous about development, the current Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka comes across clearly as a competent hand that would not back away from a public interest policy. Perhaps, the most fascinating part of Asagba is that he is a reformer.
A highly accomplished scholar, biochemist, and academic leader, Asagba’s career reflects a lifelong dedication to excellence in research, education, and institutional development.
The seasoned academic with over three decades of experience in teaching, research, and university administration began his academic career at the Delta State University, where he steadily rose through the ranks, holding several strategic positions including: Head of Department of Biochemistry, Dean of Faculty of Science, and Chairman of numerous university committees.
His appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of the Delta State University, Abraka was not only a testament to his outstanding academic credentials but also a groundbreaking moment. His leadership ushered in a new era of innovation, inclusion, and academic excellence at Delsu.
Professor Asagba has made significant contributions to the field of biochemistry, with particular focus on Toxicology. He also authored several personal and peer-reviewed publications, many of which appear in reputable international journals. His research work has been instrumental to the advancement of knowledge in health and nutritional sciences, and his academic excellence and leadership have earned him several professional honors.
A member of numerous national and international academic bodies and a reviewer and editorial board member for several scientific journals, Professor Asagba since assuming office as Vice Chancellor of Delsu has emphasized innovation, gender equity, research-driven education, university industry collaboration, Infrastructure development and digital transformation.
This devoted and resilient Vice-Chancellor has prioritized institutional expansion and modernization, establishing two groundbreaking faculties to meet emerging academic demands. The Faculty of Health Sciences now encompasses Pharmacology, Nursing, Public Health, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Physiotherapy, and Optometry, while the Faculty of Environmental Sciences resuscitated from the defunct Asaba campus includes Surveying, Estate Management, Geography and Regional Planning, Architecture and Building programs.
Further unbundling initiatives have elevated specialized disciplines: Computer Science has evolved into the stand-alone Faculty of Computing, and the Department of Mass Communication has been separated from the Faculty of Social Sciences to form the new Faculty of Communication and Media Studies. This faculty now offers diverse programs such as Public Relations, Advertising, Mass Communication, Film and Multimedia Studies, Broadcasting, Journalism and Media Studies.
Prof. Asagba’s achievements extend to creating three new faculties overall; Environmental Sciences, Computing, and Allied Health Sciences fostering a more dynamic and interdisciplinary academic environment.
Infrastructure development stands as a cornerstone of his administration. Key projects include the construction of an access road linking the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences (BMS) and the Faculty of Arts. The ongoing construction of the Faculty of Agriculture building addresses long-standing challenges.
Since relocating from Asaba, the faculty has relied on the old College of Education structure. “We have started the Faculty of Agriculture structure,” Prof. Asagba noted. “As more money comes in, I hope to finish it within two months. It’s a complex of two- or three-story buildings.”
Other vital upgrades include the reconstruction of an abandoned 500-capacity lecture theatre; renovation of the 750-capacity Lecture Halls A, B, C, and D, and refurbishment of the old Faculty of Pharmacy building.
At the Faculty of Clinical Sciences in Oghara, lecture halls have been renovated alongside the installation of fibre optic internet and a robust 24-hour server room to enhance research connectivity.
Power reliability has been strengthened at the ICT centre in Site II with an upgraded server room featuring a 15KVA inverter and 32 panels for constant supply. Additionally, there has been procurement of office equipment and furniture for the current accreditation exercise, ensuring seamless operations across lecture halls and administrative offices. His tenure so far has been marked with efforts to deepen Delsu’s global partnerships while improving internal systems, staff welfare, and student development.
Asagba is known for his meticulous planning. Those who have worked with him echo his reputation for reading memos word by word—ensuring every line counts. This is not just a formality; it’s the mark of a leader committed to effective administration.
As Professor Samuel Asagba marks his first year in office, he continues to represent the pinnacle of intellectual brilliance, visionary leadership, and gender progress in Nigeria’s academic space.
As Vice-Chancellor of Delsu, he is not only shaping the future of science and technology education but also inspiring a new generation of leadership.
His story is one of dedication, excellence, and breaking barriers; and his legacy will continue to influence the Nigerian academic community for years to come.
DANNY KEMS IS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN THE FORUM FOR CREDIBLE ELECTION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA. HE WRITES FROM WARRI, DELTA STATE.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas over “the failure to account for the missing N18.6 billion meant for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Office Complex.”
Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas are sued for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly. Joined in the suit as respondent is the National Assembly Service Commission.
SERAP’s lawsuit followed the grave allegations documented in the latest 2022 annual report published by the Auditor-General of the Federation on 9 September 2025.
In the suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/2457/2025 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio, Mr Abbas and the NASC to account for the whereabouts of ₦18.6bn meant for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission Office Complex.”
SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio, Mr Abbas and the NASC to disclose the name of the alleged ‘fictitious construction company’ that collected N18.6 billion for the construction of the National Assembly Commission Office Complex.”
SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio, Mr Abbas and the NASC to provide the assessment reports, bid advertisements, bid quotations and construction contract, minutes of Tender Board’s meetings and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) Approval for the complex project.”
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that, “The allegations that ₦18.6 billion meant for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission Office Complex is misappropriated or diverted are a grave violation of the public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and international anticorruption standards.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the ₦18.6 billion and details of the contractors that collected the money. Granting the reliefs sought would serve legitimate public interests.”
According to SERAP, “Directing and compelling Mr Akpabio, Mr Abbas and the NASC to account for and explain the whereabouts of the ₦18.6 billion and details of the contractors that collected the money would build trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part: “the National Assembly ought to live up to its constitutional responsibilities by upholding and defending the basic principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law.”
“Granting the reliefs sought would also improve public confidence and trust in the ability of the National Assembly to exercise their constitutional and oversight responsibilities, and to adhere to the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.”
“According to the recently published 2022 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation, the National Assembly Service Commission paid over N11.6 billion [N11,647,302,594,00] to ‘an unknown construction company’ for ‘the construction the Commission’s Complex within 24 months.’”
“The payment was reportedly made on 11 August 2020. But ‘the contract was inflated by over N6.9 billion [N6,930,000.000.00]’ and the money was reportedly paid to the construction company on 29 November 2023’ ‘for the conversion of the roof garden to office space.’”
“The contract was reportedly awarded without a Bill of Quantity (BOQ) for the upward of the contract, and the ‘BOQ for the contract of N11.6 billion was not priced.’”
“Both contracts were reportedly awarded without any needs assessment, newspaper advertisements, bidding process, contract agreement, bidders’ quotations and without any approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). There was also no ‘Bureau of Public Procurement’s Certificate of ‘No Objection’.’”
“The Auditor-General fears the N18.6 billion of public funds budgeted for ‘the construction of the Commission’s Office Complex and the conversion of the roof garden to office space’ may have been diverted, misappropriated or stolen. He wants the money accounted for.”
“These grave violations reflect the continuing failure of the National Assembly and its commission to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.”
“Granting the reliefs sought would ensure that those suspected to be responsible for the diversion and misappropriation of the N18.6 billion are brought to justice and facilitate the recovery of any proceeds of corruption.”
“Poor and vulnerable Nigerians continue to bear the heavy economic and social costs of corruption. Corruption exposes them to additional costs to pay for health, education and administrative services.”
“Corruption traps the majority of Nigerians in poverty and deprives them of opportunities. The National Assembly therefore has a responsibility to curb it.”
“Allegations of corruption continue to undermine economic development, violate social justice, and destroy trust in economic, social, and political institutions, as well as lead to deficient public services.”
“Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions including the National Assembly and its commission to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the National Assembly and its commission to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.”
“Under Section 16(1)(a)(b), the National Assembly and its commission have the obligations to ‘harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy’, and to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen.’”
“Section 16(2) further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’”
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources.”
“Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the National Assembly to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds. These commitments ought to be fully upheld and respected.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
30/11/2025
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
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