Oborevwori Defends Creation of Three New Delta Universities as 3,203 Students Graduate in Maiden Convocations

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has justified the establishment of three additional state-owned universities, stating that the decision has significantly expanded access to higher education for thousands of qualified students across the state.

The governor spoke on Saturday during the maiden convocation ceremony of Dennis Osadebay University, where 416 pioneer graduates were awarded first degrees across the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Behavioural Sciences, Computing, Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences and Sciences.

Expanding Access to Higher Education

According to Oborevwori, the creation of the three universities in 2021 was a strategic response to the growing number of qualified students who could not secure admission due to limited spaces in existing institutions.

He recalled that in 2020, over 20,000 qualified applicants seeking admission into universities in Delta State were unable to gain admission because of capacity constraints at Delta State University, Abraka.

The governor noted that the impact of establishing the new universities is now evident, as the maiden graduation cycle has produced a total of 3,203 graduates across the institutions:

1,206 graduates from University of Delta, Agbor

1,231 graduates from Southern Delta University, Ozoro

416 graduates from Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba

He said the milestone clearly demonstrates the importance of expanding the state’s higher education system to provide more opportunities for young people.

Historic Milestone for Dennis Osadebay University

Oborevwori described the maiden convocation of Dennis Osadebay University as a historic milestone in Delta State’s effort to strengthen tertiary education and develop a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and sustainable development.

Reflecting on the journey, the governor said that when the law establishing the three universities was passed in 2021, he was serving as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and never imagined he would later return as Visitor to celebrate the graduation of their pioneer students.

He also acknowledged the role played by his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who signed the bill establishing the universities into law.

Infrastructure Development Under MORE Agenda

The governor highlighted several infrastructure projects executed at Dennis Osadebay University under his administration’s MORE Agenda, including:

Faculty of Agriculture complex

Faculty of Environmental Sciences complex

Engineering workshops

A 500-seat lecture hall

Internal road networks

Vice-Chancellor’s lodge

University gatehouse

He added that the furnishing of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences building has been completed, while construction work is ongoing at the Faculty of Management Sciences. Plans are also underway for a perimeter fence and additional student hostels.

Oborevwori assured that the state government would further develop the institution with projects such as a sports complex, Faculty of Law building and more hostel accommodation.

Entrepreneurship and Student Support

The governor reiterated that education remains central to his administration’s development strategy, noting that deliberate investments in funding, staff welfare and engagement with labour unions have ensured stability in tertiary institutions across the state.

He also disclosed that through the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Programme, the state government is equipping students with practical skills, mentorship and start-up support to help them become job creators rather than job seekers.

Oborevwori encouraged students to also take advantage of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to ease the financial burden of higher education.

Rewards for Academic Excellence

Highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of the overall best graduating student and valedictorian, Miss Mike-Ogisi Regina Chukwufunannya of the Accounting Department, who graduated with an outstanding CGPA of 4.93.

Governor Oborevwori rewarded her with a ₦5 million cash prize, while 24 other First Class graduates received ₦1 million each in recognition of their academic excellence.

Out of the 416 graduates at the maiden convocation:

25 earned First Class honours

167 graduated with Second Class Upper Division

185 with Second Class Lower Division

39 with Third Class degrees

University Growth and Academic Progress

Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Ben Oghojafor, described the maiden convocation as a historic turning point for the institution.

He recalled that when he assumed office as pioneer Vice-Chancellor in April 2021, the university had almost no infrastructure and had to operate from temporary facilities.

Despite the early challenges, the university has recorded rapid growth. According to him:

The institution admitted about 150 students in 2021

Admissions rose to 1,589 in the 2022/2023 session

4,403 students were admitted in the 2024/2025 session

He disclosed that the university has so far admitted 14,851 students and that within five years its academic staff have produced:

547 journal publications

234 conference proceedings

Seven academic books

The Vice-Chancellor also revealed that the university has established academic partnerships with institutions in the United Kingdom and the University of the West Indies in Jamaica.

In addition, the university is collaborating with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria to enable students obtain professional certifications alongside their degrees, while discussions are ongoing with global technology company Cisco to strengthen digital skills training.

Call for Integrity and Excellence

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Robert Ikomi, described the convocation as a defining milestone for the institution and urged the graduates to uphold integrity and remain worthy ambassadors of the university.

In her valedictory speech, Mike-Ogisi commended the Delta State Government and the university management for providing a conducive learning environment, assuring that the graduates would continue to make the institution proud in their future endeavours.