Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, Delta State, will conclude his five-year tenure on May 5, 2025, and hand over to Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba, recently selected by the university’s governing council.

During a media briefing in Warri, Rim-Rukeh outlined his administration’s achievements, guided by a six-pillar development vision.

He stated, “When this journey began on 4th May, 2020, the vision was clear: ‘To make FUPRE a globally connected petroleum university whose transformative research and teaching places the University at the forefront of leadership in energy discoveries benefiting to society as a whole.’ Transforming this vision statement into reality revolves around the following six pillars: teaching and learning excellence, achieving research excellence, achieving increased funding, attracting regional/international faculty and students, attracting international and national academic partners and attracting international and national industry partners.”

Rim-Rukeh noted that when he assumed office, the campus had 16 buildings, which increased to 31 by the end of his tenure. He reported 55 achievements, including the establishment of 21 new academic programs, three new colleges, provision of teaching and learning facilities, research laboratory equipment, introduction of 26 professional academic programs, and accreditation of academic programs. Other accomplishments included ICT infrastructure development, enhanced research activities, improved global ranking, campus energy infrastructure upgrades, better student-management relations, amendment of the FUPRE Establishment Act of 2017, patents and grants, physical infrastructure projects, and sporting facilities.

Addressing challenges, Rim-Rukeh highlighted recurrent electricity supply issues. He noted that a 1.35MW Solar Hybrid Power Project, installed in 2021 by the Rural Electrification Agency, failed within six months due to faulty inverters and batteries. He added that the university is exploring a direct power supply from the Ughelli power generating company.

Rim-Rukeh expressed appreciation to the university’s governing council, government agencies, private organisations, TETFund, NUC, PTDF, NCDMB, Delta State government, FUPRE management, and students for their support during his tenure.