Oborevwori defends creation of 3 Delta universities …3,203 students graduate in maiden convocations

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, has defended the decision of the state government to establish three additional universities, saying the move has opened wider opportunities for thousands of young people seeking university education in the state.

The governor spoke on Saturday at the maiden convocation ceremony of Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, where 416 pioneer students received their first degrees from various faculties of the institution.

The graduates cut across the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Behavioural Sciences, Computing, Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences and Sciences.

Oborevwori explained that the decision to establish the new universities in 2021 was driven by the urgent need to accommodate the increasing number of qualified students who could not gain admission into existing institutions due to limited spaces.

According to him, before the creation of the new universities, the Delta State University, Abraka, remained the only state-owned university capable of admitting students.

However, its capacity was not sufficient to cater for the growing number of applicants.

He recalled that in 2020 alone, more than 20,000 qualified candidates who applied to study in universities within the state were unable to secure admission because of inadequate spaces.

The governor noted that the situation made it necessary for the state government to expand the higher education system by establishing three new institutions — the University of Delta, Agbor; Southern Delta University, Ozoro; and Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba.

He said the results of the policy have now become evident with the graduation of the first set of students from the newly created universities.

Oborevwori revealed that the maiden graduation exercise across the three institutions produced a combined total of 3,203 graduates.

According to him, the University of Delta, Agbor produced 1,206 graduates, Southern Delta University, Ozoro graduated 1,231 students, while Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba produced 416 graduates.

The governor described the development as clear proof that expanding tertiary education in the state was a wise and forward-looking decision.

He noted that the first convocation ceremony of Dennis Osadebay University marks a historic milestone in the institution’s growth and in Delta State’s efforts to strengthen its education sector.

Oborevwori recalled that when the bill establishing the three universities was passed into law in 2021, he was serving as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.

According to him, he never imagined that he would later return to one of the institutions as governor and Visitor to celebrate the graduation of the pioneer students.

The governor also acknowledged the role of his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who assented to the bill establishing the universities, thereby laying the foundation for the institutions.

He commended the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Dennis Osadebay University, Professor Ben Oghojafor, as well as the staff of the institution, for their commitment and efforts in building the university from its early stages.

Oborevwori further highlighted a number of infrastructure projects completed at the university under his administration’s MORE Agenda.

These projects include the Faculty of Agriculture complex, the Faculty of Environmental Sciences complex, engineering workshops, a 500-seat lecture theatre, internal road networks, the Vice-Chancellor’s lodge and the university gatehouse.

He added that furnishing of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences building had been completed, while work was ongoing on the Faculty of Management Sciences building.

Construction of the university’s perimeter fence is also in progress, alongside plans to provide additional student hostels.

The governor assured that the state government would continue to expand facilities at the university, including the construction of more hostels, a sports complex and a Faculty of Law building.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to education, Oborevwori stated that the sector remains a major pillar of the state’s development strategy.

He explained that deliberate investments in education, improved welfare for staff and constructive engagement with labour unions have helped maintain peace and stability in tertiary institutions across the state.

The governor also disclosed that through the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Programme, the state government is providing students with practical skills, mentorship opportunities and start-up support aimed at enabling them to become entrepreneurs and job creators.

He encouraged students to also take advantage of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), an initiative introduced by President Bola Tinubu to help reduce the financial burden associated with higher education.

Oborevwori congratulated the graduating students and urged them to remain disciplined, innovative and hardworking as they move into the next phase of their lives.

He advised them to avoid shortcuts to success and strive to maintain the values of excellence, integrity and diligence as ambassadors of their university and Delta State.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the recognition of the overall best graduating student and valedictorian, Miss Mike-Ogisi Regina Chukwufunannya of the Department of Accounting.

She graduated with an outstanding cumulative grade point average of 4.93.

In recognition of her academic excellence, Governor Oborevwori awarded her a cash prize of five million naira.

In addition, 24 other graduates who finished with First Class honours were each presented with a cash reward of one million naira.

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Ben Oghojafor, described the maiden convocation ceremony as a major milestone in the history of the institution.

He recalled that when he assumed office as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor in April 2021, the university lacked basic infrastructure and had to operate from temporary facilities.

Despite the initial challenges, he said the institution had recorded remarkable growth within a short period.

Professor Oghojafor explained that the university began with about 150 students in 2021.

Admissions increased significantly in subsequent years, with 1,589 students admitted during the 2022/2023 academic session and 4,403 students admitted in the 2024/2025 session across eight faculties.

According to him, the university has so far admitted a total of 14,851 students since its establishment.

He added that within five years, members of the academic staff had produced more than 547 journal publications, 234 conference papers and seven books.

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

He further revealed that the university is working with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to enable students obtain professional accounting certifications alongside their academic degrees.

In addition, discussions are ongoing with global technology company Cisco aimed at strengthening digital skills training for students.

Also speaking at the event, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Robert Ikomi, described the convocation ceremony as a defining moment in the development of the university.

He commended the management, staff and students for their dedication and urged the graduating students to uphold integrity and represent the institution positively wherever they go.

In her valedictory speech, the best graduating student, Regina Mike-Ogisi, expressed appreciation to the Delta State Government and the university management for creating a conducive learning environment.

She assured that the graduating students would continue to make the institution proud in their future careers.

Out of the 416 graduates produced at the maiden convocation ceremony, 25 graduated with First Class honours, 167 earned Second Class Upper Division, 185 graduated with Second Class Lower Division, while 39 obtained Third Class degrees.