We Created More Universities Because 20,000 Qualified Students Had No Admission” – Oborevwori

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state has justified the establishment of three additional state-owned universities in Delta State, saying the decision was necessary to address the growing number of qualified students unable to secure university admission due to limited spaces.
The governor spoke on Saturday at the maiden convocation ceremony of Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, where 416 pioneer graduates were awarded first degrees across the faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Behavioural Sciences, Computing, Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences and Sciences.
According to the governor, the creation of the three universities in 2021 was a deliberate move to expand access to higher education for thousands of Delta youths who were previously unable to gain admission into existing institutions.
He recalled that in 2020, more than 20,000 qualified candidates seeking admission into universities in the state could not be accommodated due to limited capacity at Delta State University, Abraka.
Oborevwori noted that the policy had already begun to yield results with the successful graduation of the first batch of students from the newly established universities.
He disclosed that the maiden graduation cycle from the three institutions produced a total of 3,203 graduates, including 1,206 from University of Delta, Agbor; 1,231 from Southern Delta University, Ozoro; and 416 from Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba.
Describing the convocation as a historic milestone, the governor said the development underscored the importance of expanding the state’s higher education system to produce a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and sustainable development.
He noted 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 the pioneer students.
The governor also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who signed the bill establishing the universities into law.
Highlighting developments at Dennis Osadebay University under his administration’s MORE Agenda, Oborevwori listed projects such as the Faculty of Agriculture complex, Faculty of Environmental Sciences complex, engineering workshops, a 500-seat lecture hall, 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 at the Faculty of Management Sciences alongside the construction of a perimeter fence and plans for additional student hostels.
The governor assured that the state government would also construct more hostels, a sports complex and a Faculty of Law building to further enhance the institution’s growth.
Oborevwori reiterated that education remains central to his administration’s development agenda, noting that deliberate investments in funding, staff welfare and engagement with labour unions have helped maintain stability in tertiary institutions across the state.
He further disclosed that through the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Programme, the government is equipping students with practical skills, mentorship and start-up support to enable them become job creators rather than job seekers.
The governor also encouraged students to take advantage of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) introduced by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ease the financial burden of higher education.
Congratulating the graduating students, Oborevwori urged them to remain diligent, innovative and upright, advising them to reject shortcuts and uphold excellence as worthy ambassadors of their university and Delta State.
A major 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 the valedictorian with a cash prize of N5 million, while 24 other First Class graduates received N1 million each in recognition of their outstanding academic performance.
Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Ben Oghojafor, described the maiden convocation as a historic turning point for the young institution.
He recalled that when he assumed office as pioneer Vice-Chancellor in April 2021, the university lacked basic infrastructure and had to operate from temporary facilities, but noted that remarkable progress had been recorded within a short period.
According to him, the institution admitted about 150 students at inception in 2021, but the number rose to 1,589 in the 2022/2023 academic session and further increased to 4,403 in the 2024/2025 session across eight faculties.
Professor Oghojafor disclosed that the university has so far admitted a total of 14,851 students, while its academic staff have produced over 547 journal publications, 234 conference proceedings and seven books within five years.
He added that the institution has also established academic partnerships with universities in the United Kingdom and the University of the West Indies in Jamaica.
The Vice-Chancellor further revealed that the university is collaborating with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to enable students obtain professional certifications alongside their academic degrees, while discussions are ongoing with Cisco to enhance digital skills training.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Robert Ikomi, described the convocation as a defining milestone in the life of the institution.
He commended the management, staff and students for their commitment to excellence and urged the graduating students to uphold integrity and remain worthy ambassadors of the institution.
In her valedictory speech, Mike-Ogisi thanked 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.
Out of the 416 graduates produced at the maiden convocation, 25 made First Class honours, 167 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, 185 with Second Class Lower Division, while 39 earned Third Class degrees.