UNIPORT to award honorary Doctor of Science degree to Wike at July convocation

The University of Port Harcourt, located in Rivers State, has awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree (DSc Honoris Causa) to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The vice-chancellor of the institution, Owunari Georgewill, announced this while delivering the conferment letter to Mr Wike at his home in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Georgewill mentioned that the formal presentation and decoration would take place on July 26, as part of the events marking the university’s 50th anniversary.

He clarified that the university’s act allows it to confer honorary doctorate degrees on Nigerians who have made outstanding contributions to national development.

He noted that the university’s Senate approved the honorary award due to Mr Wike’s record in public service and his developmental efforts in the university and in Rivers State.

He said, “Today marks the beginning of the 50th anniversary celebration of the University of Port Harcourt, and there is no better place to commence the ceremony than where we are today. You are also a distinguished alumnus of the university, and so the university is honouring you not only for your service but also for your service to the University of Port Harcourt.“

“Your footprints are just there for everybody to see in the university. We are proud to be associated with you and the university is indeed very proud that you attended it; you have a DNA of that institution in you,” Mr Georgewill said.

Gloria China, the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, had earlier conveyed the honorary award to the minister in a letter dated June 10.

The letter stated, “It is with profound pleasure that I write to convey to you the decision of the Senate of the University of Port Harcourt at its extraordinary meeting held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, to confer on you an honorary degree of Doctor of Science (DSc Honoris Causa) in recognition of your visionary leadership and outstanding contributions to governance in Rivers State and Nigeria. The conferment will be made at the 23rd convocation ceremony of the university, which is scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025.”

While delivering the letter, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mao Ohuabunwa, expressed appreciation to Mr Wike for representing the university well.

Mr Ohuabunwa said, “The university is very proud of you because in every endeavour of your life you have made us proud. When you were the chairman and security head of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, you defended the university. When you were the minister of education, you attracted great developments to the university. Today, the Faculty of Law is in the university because Nyesom Wike was the Minister of Education.”

He mentioned that Mr Wike not only established the Faculty of Law at the university but also took responsibility for constructing its building.

He said, “As if that was not enough, when you became the governor of Rivers State, you made an indelible mark and built one of the best convocation arenas in West Africa. A few weeks back, when we came to congratulate you on your appointment as FCT Minister, you donated a multimedia centre for the convocation arena.”

He informed the minister that the convocation arena would be commissioned on July 25 as part of the golden jubilee celebrations.

In his response, Mr Wike expressed gratitude to the university for the recognition, saying, “For me, it is the university that gave me everything. I am a proud alumnus of the university where I first studied political science before studying another degree in law.”

He explained that during his time as Minister of Education, he found it surprising that a conventional university lacked a Faculty of Law.

Mr Wike said he felt strongly about the matter and made sure that the university established not just the Faculty of Law, but also separated the Faculty of Social Sciences from the Faculty of Humanities.

He said he also provided one of the best convocation arenas for the university because he believed it deserved nothing less.

Mr Wike said, “If I am in a position to do more for my university, I will continue to do it. I am happy and I accepted the offer on behalf of my family, my wife and my friends and promised to be there to celebrate the golden jubilee of the university. I will continue to partner and support the university.”