Southern Delta University, Ozoro, will hold its 5th Inaugural Lecture on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, featuring a presentation on cement retrogression in high temperature, high pressure oil wells.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Sunny Ijirihevwe Awhefeada, has invited the general public to the lecture titled "From Earth To Wellbore: Confronting Cement Retrogression In HTHP Wells With Indigenous Additives." The lecture will be delivered by Professor P.N. Onwuachi Iheagwara, a Professor of Petroleum Engineering whose academic credentials include a PhD from the University of Benin, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, an MEngr from the University of Port Harcourt, an M.Sc from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a Postgraduate Diploma in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Benin, and a B.Sc from the University of Ilorin.

The event is scheduled to begin at 11 am prompt, with guests expected to be seated by 10:30 am, at the University Auditorium in Ozoro. Members of the public and the academic community unable to attend physically may follow the lecture live via Zoom.

Awhefeada assumed office as the second substantive Vice Chancellor of the University on 4th May 2026, succeeding pioneer Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Snapps Oboreh, who was credited with growing the Institution from an initial ₦100 million takeoff grant into an entity with a ₦161 billion asset and capital base. Awhefeada, a Professor of African and Postcolonial Literature, previously served as Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Delta State University, Abraka, and holds a B. A from the University of Benin alongside an M.A and a PhD from the University of Ibadan.

The Institution, formerly known as Delta State University of Science and Technology, was converted into a conventional University and renamed Southern Delta University by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, with an additional campus at Orerokpe. Since taking office, Awhefeada has emphasised his vision of repositioning the University as a globally visible and nationally relevant institution, with the Inaugural Lecture series forming part of efforts to showcase the academic depth of its scholars.