In a landmark decision poised to reshape the educational landscape of Delta State, Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has approved automatic scholarship awards for the best graduating students from each of the four state-owned universities. The initiative, which guarantees full funding for postgraduate studies, is being hailed as one of the most ambitious efforts by the current administration to reward academic excellence and invest deeply in the state’s human capital.
The announcement was formally conveyed through the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, with the Executive Secretary, Dr. Godfrey Enita, describing the policy as a direct manifestation of Governor Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E. Agenda (Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security). Speaking at a briefing in Asaba, Dr. Enita emphasized that education remains the cornerstone of the Governor’s vision for a prosperous Delta State.
“This automatic scholarship scheme is not just a reward; it is a strategic investment in the future leaders of our state and nation,” Dr. Enita stated. “His Excellency has repeatedly demonstrated an unshakable commitment to youth empowerment, and this policy is the latest proof of that resolve.”
Under the new arrangement, the overall Best Graduating Student from each academic session in the four state-owned tertiary institutions will be entitled to fully funded postgraduate studies. The beneficiary institutions are:
- Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka
- Delta State University of Science and Technology (DSUST), Ozoro
- University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor
- Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Anwai-Asaba
Each award covers tuition, accommodation, research grants, and stipends for either a Master’s or Doctoral programme in any recognized university within Nigeria. While beneficiaries have the freedom to choose their preferred institution and course of study (provided it aligns with national priorities and university admission requirements), they must complete the standard verification and documentation processes administered by the Scholarship Board.
The policy is retrospective in a limited sense: the best graduating students from the immediate past academic session who have not yet commenced postgraduate studies are also eligible to apply under the new scheme, ensuring no deserving graduate is left behind during the transition period.
Education stakeholders across the state have welcomed the development with enthusiasm. The Provost of Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Prof. Lucky Ovwasa, described the initiative as “a game-changer that will ignite healthy academic competition among students and lecturers alike.” Similarly, student union leaders at DELSU Abraka and UNIDEL Agbor have expressed optimism that the promise of automatic postgraduate funding will spur undergraduates to aim higher than mere graduation with good grades.
Beyond immediate motivation, the scholarship scheme aligns with broader national and global development goals. By producing more Master’s and Ph.D. holders who are indigenes of Delta State, the government hopes to strengthen the state’s presence in academia, research, industry, and public policy formulation. Analysts believe the ripple effects will be felt in improved university rankings, increased research output, and a larger pool of highly skilled professionals who can drive innovation in critical sectors such as agriculture, technology, health, and engineering.
Dr. Enita further disclosed that the Board is already fine-tuning modalities to ensure transparency, equity, and timeliness in the selection and disbursement processes. “We are putting robust mechanisms in place so that only students who genuinely emerge as the best graduating students through verifiable academic records benefit from this programme,” he assured. “There will be no room for favoritism or manipulation.”
The Governor’s decision comes at a time when many Nigerian states are grappling with funding challenges in the education sector. By ring-fencing resources specifically for postgraduate training of top performers, Delta State is sending a strong signal that it prioritizes meritocracy and long-term intellectual capital over short-term political patronage.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Governor Oborevwori has rolled out several youth-centric programmes, including the payment of long-overdue bursaries to students, massive infrastructure upgrades in state tertiary institutions, and the establishment of new faculties and campuses. The automatic scholarship policy is widely regarded as the crowning achievement of his administration’s first two and a half years in the area of education.
As the news spreads across lecture halls, hostels, and social media platforms frequented by Delta State students, excitement is palpable. Many undergraduates now speak openly of “graduating as the overall best” as a realistic and life-changing target, rather than an unattainable dream reserved for a privileged few.
With this policy, Delta State has firmly positioned itself as one of Nigeria’s frontrunners in rewarding academic brilliance at the tertiary level. If successfully implemented, the initiative could serve as a template for other states seeking sustainable ways to develop their most talented youths while fostering a culture of excellence that transcends the classroom.
In the words of Dr. Godfrey Enita, “This is more than a scholarship; it is a covenant between the government and the brightest minds of Delta State—a covenant that says if you excel, the state will take you even higher.”
As the Bursary and Scholarship Board begins receiving applications and preparing award letters, one thing is certain: a new era of academically driven ambition has dawned in Delta State, and the best graduating students now have every reason to aim not just for first-class honours, but for a fully funded future beyond the bachelor’s degree.
