Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has defended the establishment of three additional state-owned universities, saying the decision has created more opportunities for students seeking admission into higher institutions.
The governor spoke on Saturday at the first convocation ceremony of Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, where 416 pioneer students received degrees from the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Behavioural Sciences, Computing, Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences and Science.
Oborevwori explained that the universities were created in 2021 to address the large number of qualified applicants who could not gain admission because existing institutions lacked the capacity to accommodate them.
According to him, over 20,000 eligible candidates who applied for admission into universities in Delta State in 2020 were unable to secure places at Delta State University, Abraka, due to limited spaces.
The governor said the impact of establishing new universities is already visible with the graduation of the first sets of students.
He disclosed that the inaugural graduation cycle across the three institutions produced 3,203 graduates, including 1,206 from University of Delta, Agbor, 1,231 from Southern Delta University, Ozoro, and 416 from Dennis Osadebay University.
Oborevwori described the ceremony in Asaba as an important moment for the state’s education sector and noted that expanding the university system has helped more young people pursue higher education.
The governor recalled 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 did not expect he would later attend their first convocation as governor and Visitor.
He also acknowledged the role of former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who signed the bill establishing the universities into law.
Oborevwori commended the management and staff of Dennis Osadebay University for building the institution from its early stages and laying a solid academic foundation.
He listed several projects completed at the university under his administration’s MORE Agenda, including the Faculty of Agriculture complex, Faculty of Environmental Sciences complex, engineering workshops, a 500-seat lecture theatre, internal road networks, the Vice-Chancellor’s lodge and the university gatehouse.
The governor added that furnishing of the Environmental Sciences building has been completed, while work is ongoing at the Faculty of Management Sciences alongside the construction of a perimeter fence and plans for additional hostels.
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He assured that the state government will also build more student hostels, a sports complex and a Faculty of Law building.
Oborevwori said education remains a key priority of his administration, adding that improved funding, staff welfare and dialogue with labour unions have helped maintain stability in tertiary institutions in the state.
He further revealed that through the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Programme, students are being equipped with practical skills, mentorship and start-up support to encourage self-employment.
The governor also encouraged students to take advantage of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ease the financial burden of university education.
Congratulating the graduates, Oborevwori urged them to remain disciplined and use their knowledge to make positive contributions to society.
The highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of the overall best graduating student and valedictorian, Regina Chukwufunannya Mike-Ogisi of the Accounting Department, who graduated with a CGPA of 4.93.
The governor awarded her a cash prize of N5 million, while 24 other First Class graduates received N1 million each.
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Professor Ben Oghojafor described the convocation as a defining moment for the young institution.
He recalled that when he assumed office in April 2021, the university lacked basic infrastructure and initially operated from temporary facilities. Despite the challenges, he said the institution has grown rapidly.
According to him, the university admitted about 150 students at inception in 2021, but admissions increased to 1,589 in the 2022/2023 academic session and 4,403 in the 2024/2025 session across eight faculties.
Oghojafor disclosed that the university has so far admitted 14,851 students. He added that within five years, academic staff have produced over 547 journal publications, 234 conference papers and seven books, while the institution has established partnerships with universities in the United Kingdom and the University of the West Indies in Jamaica.
The Vice-Chancellor also said the university is collaborating with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria to enable students earn professional certifications alongside their degrees.
He added that discussions are ongoing with Cisco to strengthen digital skills training for students. Of the 416 graduates, 25 earned First Class honours, 167 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, 185 with Second Class Lower Division, while 39 obtained Third Class degrees.
