By Marvis Osiobe-Eterigho
The former Chief of Defence Staff and Pro-Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka, General Alexander O. Ogomudia has said that natural resources alone do not guarantee development but knowledge, institutions, leadership and human capital is what transforms resources into sustainable progress.
He said this while delivering the maiden convocation lecture titled; “Beyond Oil:The University and The Future of The Niger Delta” at Southern Delta University, Ozoro, last Wednesday, 26, February, 2026.
In his words, “We live in an era defined not by stability, but by transition. The foundations upon which nations built their economies in the twentieth century are shifting under the weight of technological disruption, environmental urgency and geopolitical realignment. Digital technologies are reshaping work, learning governance and even identity. Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, automation and data analytics are redefining productivity and competitive advantage. This is where the university is indispensable.”
Speaking further, Gen Ogomudia stated that in this emerging order, the future will not belong primarily to those who own natural resources. “It will belong to those who can learn continuously, adapt rapidly, innovate intelligently and build resilient institutions.” He added.
Speaking on the effect of this global shift on the Niger Delta region, Gen Ogomudia said it presents both profound risk and historic opportunity. “For Niger Delta, the question is no longer whether diversification is necessary. It is how quickly and how intelligently it can be achieved. A development strategy anchored solely on petroleum is increasingly precarious.”
Moreover, the Pro-Chancellor of DELSU described a university as the primary site where societies prepare for transition. “They produce the scientists who design renewable technologies, the engineers who build resilient infrastructure, the policymakers who craft regulatory frameworks, and the entrepreneurs who launch new industries.”
He however added that universities must evolve themselves. “Curricula designed for yesterday’s economy cannot adequately prepare students for tomorrow’s realities. Interdisciplinary learning, digital fluency, research commercialization and community engagement must become core components of higher education.”
He charged the host university – Southern Delta University to be a knowledge hub for the southern Delta region and beyond, a policy think-tank for state and local governments, a talent pipeline for emerging industries and a bridge between global ideas and local realities. “As a young institution, Southern Delta University has a rare advantage: it can design itself for relevance from the start by embedding community engagement into its curriculum, reward applied to interdisciplinary research, encourage innovation and collaboration and uphold academic freedom and institutional integrity.”
Responding to the speech, the Vice Chancellor of Southern Delta University (SDU), Prof Jacob Snapps Oboreh gave a word of appreciation to Gen Ogomudia for impacting the institution with such knowledge.
Dignitaries present during the lecture were Prof. Arthur Efeoghene Essaghah, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of SDU, Prof. Akpovughaye Taiga, Provost Orerokpe campus, Prof Ogochukwu T. Emiri, the university Librarian amongst others.
