The atmosphere at the University of Port Harcourt turned lively on Saturday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, danced in celebration after receiving an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the institution.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and an alumnus of UNIPORT, was honoured for his service in governance, urban development, and infrastructural transformation in Rivers and the FCT.
Dressed in full academic gown, Wike broke into a dance as music played in the background. His supporters, students, staff, and top political allies, including the governor of Adamawa State, cheered loudly as he moved to the rhythm.
A video of the moment, shared online by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, quickly went viral. Olayinka posted photos and clips from the event on X, where several Nigerians reacted.
Wike’s supporters praised the honour, with some pointing out that he contributed to the building of the university’s convocation arena and brought the Faculty of Law to the institution.
@Charles_Uwakwe4 tweeted: ‘@GovWike deserved PhD award in Uniport. He built new convocation arena and brought Law faculty in Uniport. Congratulations sir on your award.’”
But others criticised the award and his celebration.
@Aluta_Panorama tweeted: ‘Integrity wears no title. All these frivolities of giving award to serving public servants must stop. And there is no other person to stop it if not PO.’”
@soulakrest100 posted: ‘The reason why people think education is a scam. Why would a citadel and fountain of knowledge dole out such to a 50-year whiskey drunk.’”
“@CardinalStation wrote: ‘The clowns clapping for him and the clown posting this hypocrisy of a drunkard are no different from the drunkard himself.’”
Reacting with humour, @Olalekanakogun commented: “Good music will take you anywhere you want to go, be anything you want to be at that moment. Music is life.”
Despite the backlash, Wike appeared joyful throughout the convocation ceremony, smiling widely and waving at the crowd as he danced.
The event took place on UNIPORT’s campus in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
SEE VIDEO HERE
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, dancing to appreciate God after his conferment with the UNIPORT Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science, today. pic.twitter.com/D0GrPDR44Z
— Lere Olayinka – Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) July 26, 2025
