Professor Teddy Charles Adias Marks Four Years As Vice Chancellor Of Federal University Otuoke

The Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, has marked four years of Professor Teddy Charles Adias’ tenure as the institution’s third substantive Vice Chancellor.

His emergence in February 2021, following appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari, made him the first Vice Chancellor to be selected from within the university’s academic ranks. The development was reported by Ebido Lucky of the University's Publications Unit.

Professor Adias, a Professor of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science, assumed office after a formal handover by his predecessor, Professor Seth Accra Jaja, at the East Campus Auditorium on 16th February, 2021. In his acceptance remarks, he pledged commitment to building on the blueprint of past administrations while also leaving behind enduring legacies.

Since his appointment, the Vice Chancellor has overseen the expansion of the institution from five faculties to eleven, increasing undergraduate programmes from 22 to 51, and introducing postgraduate and doctoral programmes. New academic centres and schools created under his tenure include the Centre for Niger Delta Studies and Sustainability, the Centre for Continuous Education, the Centre for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, a College of Nursing Sciences, and Otuoke Business School in Yenagoa.

According to the report, the student population under his leadership has risen to over 18,000, including the recent admission of 50 pioneer students into the Faculty of Law during the 13th Supplementary Matriculation Ceremony. Professor Adias has also engaged host communities by allocating employment, admission, and contract quotas, as well as donating security gadgets worth millions of naira to the Otuoke Vigilante.

Staff welfare initiatives have included implementation of earned allowances released by the federal government, automatic promotions after appraisals, and regular consultations with staff unions. His administration has emphasized punctuality, protection of facilities, and quality assurance through consistent senate and management meetings.

It is also worthy of note that Professor Adias has strengthened ties with external stakeholders, meeting with traditional rulers, political leaders, and security agencies to foster cooperation. During his first months in office, he hosted the National Universities Commission Accreditation Delegates and the Presidential Visitation Panel, while also paying courtesy calls to key figures including former President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Douye Diri.

As the university positions itself for further growth, reports by Ebido Lucky highlight that Professor Adias’ leadership has coincided with increased programme accreditation, a rise in internally generated revenue, and a growing profile in academic conferences and symposia.