PORT HARCOURT, Rivers State – July 26, 2025 – The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has officially named its newly constructed, state-of-the-art Convocation Arena after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, in recognition of his profound contributions to education and infrastructure development. The momentous honour was unveiled on Saturday as part of the university’s 35th Combined Convocation Ceremony and its prestigious Golden Jubilee celebration, Africa Update reports.
The magnificent arena, a testament to Wike’s visionary leadership, was built during his impactful tenure as Governor of Rivers State. It was officially inaugurated by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
UNIPORT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Owunari Georgewill, expressed immense pride in the institution’s growth over five decades. “Today, we celebrate our 35th convocation and 50 years of existence in this magnificent edifice made possible by the Rivers State Government during the administration of His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Wike,” Georgewill stated, drawing a powerful contrast with the university’s first convocation held in the much older arena in 1982.
Vice Admiral Ibas lauded Wike’s foresight and unwavering dedication to education, describing the arena as a powerful symbol of purposeful leadership. “The ultra-modern convocation arena, now proudly inaugurated, is a testament to what is possible when vision is aligned with commitment. Your Excellency, we honour your foresight,” he remarked. Ibas further emphasised that the arena transcends a mere building; it is envisioned as a vital hub for policy dialogues, academic excellence, innovation exhibitions, and ceremonies that will shape future generations. “This is a sanctuary where dreams are validated, where academic journeys culminate in triumph, and where future leaders will be publicly honoured,” he added, noting that the symbolic naming bridges a legacy of excellence with the promise of tomorrow.
In addition to the arena’s naming, Wike was also conferred with an honourary Doctor of Political Science degree (D.Sc. Honoris Causa). Expressing deep appreciation for the dual honors, Wike stated, “I must place on record that my wife and entire family hold this honour as pre-eminent and totally gratifying. Our gratitude knows no bounds.”
The Minister reflected on his foundational years as a student at UNIPORT, crediting the institution for meticulously laying the intellectual and moral groundwork for his personal and professional ascendancy. “UNIPORT gave me a rich and concrete intellectual foundation upon which my socio-economic and political ascendancy has been built. I was educated both in character and in learning,” he affirmed. Wike underscored his belief in the imperative for alumni to reciprocate their alma mater’s contributions, clarifying that his continuous support for UNIPORT stems from a profound sense of duty and gratitude. “This also explains why I freely give to this institution whenever I have the opportunity to do so,” he emphasised.
Wike then outlined his extensive contributions, not only to UNIPORT but also to Rivers State University and the legal profession. As Minister of State, Education, he established UNIPORT’s Faculty of Law and constructed its dedicated building. He also built a separate edifice for the Faculty of Social Sciences, which previously shared facilities with the Faculty of Humanities. He recounted building the UNIPORT Convocation Arena to international standards after being approached by the university management during his governorship. Similarly, he extended support to Rivers State University, his law alma mater, where he constructed the Post-Graduate Hostel as Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. He further detailed leveraging his position as Minister of State, Education, to raise N500 million through TETFund for UNIPORT’s development, and as governor, he completed infrastructural facilities for the Faculties of Environmental and Management Sciences, the Faculty of Law building, College of Medical/Mechanical Sciences building, a new Senate building, and the National Union of Rivers State Students’ building. He also oversaw the construction and furnishing of facilities for the Basic Clinical and Clinical Sciences building and established Etche, Emuoha, and Ahoada Campuses.
Meanwhile, Wike used the convocation platform to deliver a strong critique of the emerging opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing them as “political mafias” bent on destabilizing Nigeria. He dismissed the movement as a “gathering of disgruntled politicians with no real solutions.” “They have been in government for most of their lives and have nothing to show. Now, instead of helping rebuild a broken system, they want to destroy it,” Wike asserted, accusing the coalition of seeking relevance by exploiting public frustrations and urging citizens to reject their “drumbeats of division and propaganda.” Defending the current administration, Wike stated that President Bola Tinubu inherited a “deeply battered economy” and has made tough but necessary decisions, assuring citizens that “Painful as these decisions may be now, joy is coming.”
Other distinguished Nigerians honored with honourary doctorate degrees during the ceremony included the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; and former Governor Aminu Masari, who now chairs the Board of Trustees of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The convocation also celebrated the graduation of thousands of undergraduate and postgraduate students, marking a significant milestone in UNIPORT’s 50-year legacy of academic excellence and nation-building.
