RSU Unveils Digital Transformation Agenda, To Graduate 13,242 at Combined Convocation

... University advances toward smart campus status as management outlines achievements, challenges, and future targets.

The Rivers State University (RSU) has announced major strides toward becoming a fully digitised smart campus, a transformation the institution’s leadership says aligns with the founding vision for a modern, technologically driven university.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zep-Obipi, made this known during a media briefing ahead of the institution’s combined 37th and 38th convocation ceremonies scheduled for December 5 and 6, 2025.

Zep-Obipi explained that the digitalisation agenda is progressing steadily, with the administrative building and parts of the main campus already benefiting from upgraded internet access and digital systems. The project, he noted, is being executed in collaboration with the university’s ICT partner, Cinfores.

“We have begun the process of transforming RSU into a smart university where operations are fully digitised. Access to reliable internet facilities is central to this goal, and we have commenced installation across the campus, beginning with the administrative block,” the Vice Chancellor stated.

He added that a section of the university’s ICT Centre has been remodelled—through Cinfores’ support—into a Creative Academy, a modern technology and innovation hub equipped for skill development. The institution is also at an advanced stage of deploying FiriX, an automated workflow management system designed to enhance administrative efficiency.

Outlining future plans, Zep-Obipi said the university is targeting broadband coverage across all faculties and satellite campuses, alongside the development of additional smart classrooms to strengthen digital learning.

The VC also announced that 13,242 students will receive various degrees and certificates during the combined convocation. The graduating class comprises 10,648 undergraduates, 1,356 Master’s degree holders, 700 postgraduate diploma recipients, and 538 PhD graduands.

Speaking on other achievements, he highlighted the establishment of new directorates—Staff Development, Procurement, and Corporate Affairs—as well as the completion and upgrading of two previously abandoned laboratories in the Faculty of Science through the support of TETFund.

Zep-Obipi further addressed the challenges surrounding the university’s three satellite campuses located in Emohua, Ahoada, and Etche. He explained that the decision to relocate some students back to the main campus followed financial constraints, heightened security concerns, and insufficient infrastructure on the satellite campuses.

He lamented the lack of additional facilities since the campuses were commissioned in 2022, noting that the rapidly growing student and staff populations have overstretched the limited infrastructure available.

“To mitigate these challenges, the university resolved to move 300- and 400-level students of the Faculty of Agriculture, as well as 100-level students of the other two faculties, back to the main campus,” he said.

While acknowledging the cooperation of host communities in Ahoada and Etche, the VC expressed concern over persistent security threats in Emohua, where students have reportedly faced harassment, attacks, and robberies.