Dr ( Mrs) Esther Tonlagha, founder of the Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation, has been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Science (D.Sc) in Community Development and Empowerment by the Federal University, Otuoke (FUO), Bayelsa State.
Dr Esther is the wife of Engineer Mathew Tonlagha a business mogul with specialty in oil, gas and engineering solutions.
The honorary degree was awarded in recognition of her contributions to community development and empowerment initiatives. The conferment took place during the maiden combined convocation ceremony of the university held on December 8, 2025, in Otuoke.
Shortly after receiving the award, Mrs Tonlagha expressed gratitude to the university, describing the honour as a motivation to intensify her humanitarian efforts. She reaffirmed her commitment to empowering communities through her foundation.
At the event, Mrs Tonlagha also announced a donation of N100 million to the Federal University, Otuoke, in support of the institution’s development.
She dedicated the award to her husband and children.
Congratulatory messages have continued to pour in following the conferment. The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, described the honour as well-deserved, citing Mrs Tonlagha’s consistent commitment to community service and empowerment. He commended the university for recognising what he described as her selfless service, life of sacrifice and the impact of her foundation.
Similarly, Chief (Mrs) Blessing Pondi, wife of the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, congratulated Mrs Tonlagha on the award. She described the recognition as a reflection of her kindness, dedication to humanity and sustained contributions to community development, while praying for continued strength and greater impact in her humanitarian work.
