FUPRE VC urges discipline, innovation as varsity matriculates 2,390 students

The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, in Delta State, has officially matriculated 2,390 students for the 2025/2026 academic session, urging them to embrace discipline, personal responsibility, and the University’s ethos of innovation and excellence.

During the matriculation ceremony held on Saturday, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Chiedu Uwabor, admitted the new students on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ezekiel Agbalagba, congratulating them on gaining admission through a “rigorous and merit-based process” and describing matriculation as “the beginning of a transformative academic journey.”

Addressing the students, the Vice-Chancellor reminded them that FUPRE’s motto, “Excellence and Relevance,” should guide both their academic pursuits and character development.

He cautioned that while university life offers new freedoms, such freedoms must be exercised with integrity and sound judgment.

FUPRE maintains a zero-tolerance policy for cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, cybercrime, and all forms of misconduct,” he warned, stressing that such vices could jeopardise students’ academic futures.

He added that the ceremony formally inducted the students into “a scholarly community committed to knowledge, integrity, and purposeful excellence,” preparing them to innovate, lead, and contribute meaningfully to society.

Highlighting FUPRE’s unique position as Nigeria’s first and only specialised petroleum university, the Vice-Chancellor noted that it is also the first of its kind in Africa and the sixth globally, established to deliver world-class education, research, and practical training in the petroleum, energy, and allied sectors.

As a purpose-built institution, FUPRE is committed to producing leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers who can address real industry and societal challenges,” he said.

Citing examples of the University’s growing recognition, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted that FUPRE’s Chemical Engineering Hackathon team, “The Alchemists,” secured first place at the 2025 Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE) National Student Convention in Enugu.

He also noted that three FUPRE scholars were recently ranked among the top two per cent of scientists worldwide in the Stanford University–Elsevier Global Ranking, while the University received the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists Golden Jubilee Award for outstanding contributions to petroleum education.

The Vice-Chancellor provided a breakdown of the matriculating students: 1,980 males and 410 females, admitted into the College of Science, College of Engineering and Technology, College of Maritime and Offshore Studies, College of Computing, and the College of Petroleum Administration and Management.

He expressed particular delight at the admission of pioneer students into new programmes in the College of Petroleum Administration and Management, including Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Procurement Management, Petroleum Information Management, and Entrepreneurship, describing it as a “significant step in expanding FUPRE’s academic and professional scope.”

Additionally, he highlighted the admission of the first cohort of students into Petroleum Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Microbiology under the College of Science.

The ceremony concluded with the administration of the Matriculation Oath, officially welcoming students into the FUPRE community as they embark on a journey of academic excellence, innovation, and personal growth.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Omosede E. Osafile; Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Jane E. Omoyine; University Librarian, Professor Mercy Anyaegbu; Deans of various Colleges, Directors and Heads of Departments, among others.

This year’s matriculation underscores FUPRE’s ongoing commitment to nurturing competent professionals and leaders for the petroleum and energy sectors, while fostering innovation and research that meet global standards.