Asaba, Delta State – March 7, 2026
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Saturday defended the state government's decision to establish three additional universities in 2021, describing the policy as a strategic response to the severe admission crisis that previously left thousands of qualified candidates unable to secure university places in the state.
The governor, who is also Visitor to Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, spoke during the institution's maiden convocation ceremony where 416 pioneer students received their first degrees across seven faculties: Agriculture, Arts, Behavioural Sciences, Computing, Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences, and Sciences.
Oborevwori revealed that before the creation of the three new universities, more than 20,000 qualified candidates seeking admission into Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, in the 2020/2021 academic session alone could not be accommodated due to limited carrying capacity.
“The establishment of these universities was a deliberate and necessary intervention to expand access to higher education for our teeming youth population,” the governor stated. “The impact is now visible with the successful graduation of the first set of students from the three institutions.”
He disclosed that the maiden convocation cycle across the three universities has produced a total of 3,203 graduates:
- 1,206 from University of Delta, Agbor
- 1,231 from Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro
- 416 from Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba
The governor described the milestone as clear evidence of the wisdom behind expanding the state’s tertiary education system, saying it has provided opportunities for more young people to acquire university degrees and contribute to national development.
Oborevwori, who was Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly when the bill establishing the universities was passed in 2021, said he never imagined he would return as governor and Visitor to witness the graduation of the pioneer students.
He acknowledged the foundational role played by his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who signed the law establishing the institutions, and commended the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Dennis Osadebay University, Prof. Ben Oghojafor, along with management, staff and students for building a solid academic foundation under challenging circumstances.
The governor highlighted several infrastructure projects executed at Dennis Osadebay University under his MORE Agenda, including:
- Faculty of Agriculture complex
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences complex
- Engineering workshops
- 500-seat lecture theatre
- Internal road networks
- Vice-Chancellor’s lodge
- University gatehouse
He added that furnishing of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences building has been completed, while construction is ongoing at the Faculty of Management Sciences complex. Additional projects in the pipeline include more student hostels, a sports complex, perimeter fencing and a Faculty of Law building.
Oborevwori reiterated that education remains a core pillar of his administration’s development agenda. He pointed to deliberate investments in funding, improved staff welfare, and constructive engagement with labour unions as factors that have ensured industrial harmony and academic stability in the state’s tertiary institutions.
He also highlighted the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Programme, through which the government is equipping students with practical skills, mentorship and start-up support to become job creators rather than job seekers.
The governor encouraged graduating students to take advantage of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to ease the financial burden of higher education.
Congratulating the 416 graduands, Oborevwori charged them to uphold integrity, innovation and excellence as they enter the next phase of life. He rewarded the overall best graduating student and valedictorian, Miss Mike-Ogisi Regina Chukwufunannya of the Accounting Department (CGPA 4.93), with a cash prize of ₦5 million. Twenty-four other First Class graduates each received ₦1 million in recognition of their outstanding performance.
In his address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ben Oghojafor described the maiden convocation as a historic turning point for the young university. He recalled that when he assumed office in April 2021, the campus lacked basic infrastructure, forcing operations from temporary facilities. Despite the challenges, he said the institution has grown rapidly:
From about 150 pioneer students in 2021
To 1,589 admissions in the 2022/2023 session
To 4,403 admissions in the 2024/2025 session
Prof. Oghojafor disclosed that the university has so far admitted a total of 14,851 students. He highlighted the academic staff’s output of over 547 journal publications, 234 conference proceedings and seven books within five years, alongside partnerships with institutions in the United Kingdom and the University of the West Indies in Jamaica.
The Vice-Chancellor also announced collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to enable students obtain professional certifications alongside their degrees, and ongoing discussions with global technology firm Cisco to enhance digital skills training.
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Robert Ikomi, described the convocation as a defining milestone and commended the management, staff and students for their dedication to excellence. He urged the graduands to uphold integrity and remain worthy ambassadors of the institution.
In her valedictory speech, the overall best graduating student, Miss Mike-Ogisi Regina Chukwufunannya, thanked the Delta State Government and university management for providing a conducive learning environment and assured that the pioneer graduates would continue to make the institution proud in their future endeavours.
Of the 416 graduates, 25 earned First Class honours, 167 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, 185 with Second Class Lower Division, and 39 earned Third Class degrees.
The convocation ceremony, attended by state officials, traditional rulers, academic leaders and proud parents, was widely regarded as a celebration of the state government’s commitment to expanding access to quality higher education and developing a skilled workforce for sustainable development.
