By Monday Iyke –
ABRAKA, DELTA STATE — As Engr. Professor Hilary Ijeoma Owamah, FNSE, FNICE, FNIEE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of Delta State University, Abraka, marks another year of life, the occasion offers more than an opportunity to celebrate a birthday. It is a moment to reflect on an extraordinary journey of scholarship, professional excellence, institutional leadership and service to humanity.
For the university community, the engineering profession and many who have encountered him personally, Professor Owamah represents the story of a young Nigerian scholar whose determination, intellectual capacity and commitment to excellence have translated into remarkable achievements in academia and professional practice.
Currently serving as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Owamah has risen through the ranks to become one of the prominent academic administrators and engineering scholars associated with the institution. His appointment to the position became effective on March 11, 2025, following his nomination and appointment by the university’s Senate. At 42, he became the youngest professor to occupy the position in DELSU’s history.
A Journey Rooted in Determination
Born on August 27, 1982, in Owa-Alero, Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State, Owamah’s educational journey began in Ibusa, where he attended Umejei Primary School before proceeding to St. Thomas’ College, Ibusa. He subsequently embarked on the professional journey that would eventually establish him as a respected civil and environmental engineer.
He obtained his Bachelor of Engineering degree in 2006 from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). He proceeded to the University of Port Harcourt, where he earned his master’s degree in 2011, before obtaining his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Benin in 2016. His areas of academic specialization include water resources and environmental engineering, renewable energy and mathematical modelling of environmental systems.
These qualifications laid the foundation for a career that has combined teaching, research, professional engineering, consultancy and university administration.
From the Classroom to the Professorial Chair
Professor Owamah began his academic career at Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, before joining Delta State University in 2016 as a Senior Lecturer.
At DELSU, his rise was remarkably rapid. He served as Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering from 2017 to 2020, and subsequently became Deputy Director of the Directorate of Intensive and Part-Time Studies from 2020 to 2022.
In 2022, he was appointed Director of Academic Planning, a position he held until his elevation to the university’s top academic management structure.
On October 1, 2022, Professor Owamah attained the rank of full Professor at the age of 40, becoming the youngest professor produced by Delta State University at the time.
His academic advancement has therefore been matched by administrative responsibilities, demonstrating an ability to combine scholarship with institutional management.
Transforming Academic Planning at DELSU
One of the most significant chapters of Prof. Owamah’s administrative career was his tenure as Director of Academic Planning.
Under his leadership, Delta State University achieved full accreditation for all 92 of its academic programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) — a landmark achievement described as unprecedented in the university’s history. He also supervised the establishment of 15 new academic programmes.
It was this record of administrative effectiveness, combined with his academic credentials, that strengthened his profile within the university and positioned him for the office of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
His current responsibilities place him at the centre of academic administration, quality assurance, curriculum development and other matters directly affecting teaching, learning and academic standards at one of Nigeria’s major universities.
A Scholar with Global Research Footprint
Beyond administration, Prof. Owamah remains deeply committed to research.
His research interests span water resources, environmental engineering, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, renewable energy, bioenergy, hydraulic engineering and environmental systems modelling.
The DELSU official profile records that he has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications in Scopus- and Clarivate-indexed journals, while independent research-profile data also documents a substantial body of scholarly work and citations.
His research portfolio demonstrates a strong practical orientation. His published works have examined subjects including biogas production from organic waste, wastewater treatment, groundwater quality, solid-waste management, environmental pollution, renewable energy and sustainable engineering.
Among his published research are studies on the optimisation of food waste and maize husk for biogas production, development of biogas kinetic models, solid-waste generation in the Niger Delta and groundwater quality in Nigerian communities.
Such research reflects a broader philosophy that engineering should not remain confined to academic journals but should contribute directly to solving real problems confronting communities and society.
Fellow of Three Major Engineering Institutions
Professor Owamah’s contribution to engineering has also earned him recognition from three major professional bodies.
He is a Fellow of the:
- Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE)
- Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (FNICE)
- Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers (FNIEE)
The DELSU profile notes that these fellowships were attained before he reached the age of 40 — a significant professional milestone.
He has also served in leadership within the engineering profession and is identified as Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Asaba Branch.
His professional activities extend beyond the university environment. He has undertaken consultancy work in water, environmental and infrastructure-related fields and is associated with engineering consultancy and project development.
A Voice for Sustainable Development
Prof. Owamah’s public engagements have increasingly placed him at the intersection of engineering, environmental sustainability and national development.
In November 2025, he delivered DELSU’s 115th Inaugural Lecture, titled “Harmony in Crises: Green Engineering Solutions for a Fragile World.”
The lecture examined environmental challenges created by human activities and explored green engineering approaches capable of contributing to environmental restoration and sustainable development. Fresh Facts Magazine reported that the event attracted academics, traditional rulers, political associates, clergy and other dignitaries from across the country.
His public engagements have continued into 2026.
At the recent inauguration of the Young Engineers Forum of Nigeria, Asaba Chapter, Prof. Owamah challenged young engineers to embrace innovation, research and technological creativity as tools for confronting Nigeria’s security, infrastructure, environmental and development challenges.
His message has remained consistent: Nigeria cannot overcome its development challenges without investing in indigenous knowledge, research, technology and innovative engineering solutions.
Mentor, Public Intellectual and Academic Leader
Another important dimension of Prof. Owamah’s career is mentorship.
He has served as an academic assessor and examiner for doctoral and professorial candidates across several Nigerian and international universities, according to his DELSU profile.
He has also become a sought-after speaker at academic, professional and public events. The university says he has delivered numerous keynote and public lectures in Nigeria and abroad.
For many younger academics and engineers, his career demonstrates the possibility of combining research excellence, professional recognition and institutional leadership without losing sight of mentorship and service.
A Life Beyond the Office
Away from the lecture theatre and administrative office, Professor Owamah is also described as a man of faith and family.
The DELSU profile notes his involvement as a Sunday School teacher within the Redeemed Christian Church of God and identifies him as a family man. He is married to Mrs. Victoria Owamah, and they are blessed with four children.
Those close to him often describe a personality that combines intellectual seriousness with humility, warmth and accessibility — qualities that have helped him build relationships across academia, professional circles and the wider society.
A Birthday, A Milestone and a Continuing Journey
For Professor Hilary Ijeoma Owamah, another birthday is therefore more than a personal milestone.
It is a celebration of a journey that has taken him from the classrooms of Ibusa to the engineering laboratories, from university teaching to the professorial chair, and from academic scholarship to one of the highest administrative positions at Delta State University.
At a relatively young age, he has already accumulated a record that includes a Ph.D., professorship, three major engineering fellowships, dozens of scholarly publications, institutional leadership positions, professional responsibilities and a growing national profile as an advocate of sustainable engineering and academic excellence.
His story is also a reminder that the most meaningful measure of academic success is not simply the titles attached to one’s name, but the institutions strengthened, the students mentored, the knowledge created and the lives touched.
As Professor Owamah marks his birthday, Fresh Facts Magazine celebrates not only the professor and engineer, but also the teacher, administrator, mentor, friend and brother whose contributions continue to make a difference.
Happy Birthday, Professor Hilary Ijeoma Owamah.
May the years ahead bring greater wisdom, renewed strength and even greater opportunities to serve humanity through knowledge, leadership and innovation.
Fresh Facts Magazine wishes the distinguished scholar many more years of impactful service, good health, fulfilment and remarkable accomplishments.
