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Governor of Delta State and Visitor to Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has defended the decision of the state government to establish three additional state-owned universities, saying the move has significantly expanded access to higher education for thousands of students in the state.

The governor spoke on Saturday at the maiden convocation ceremony of Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, where 416 pioneer graduates received first degrees across the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Behavioural Sciences, Computing, Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences and Sciences.

Oborevwori explained that the establishment of the three universities in 2021 was a deliberate response to the growing number of qualified students who were unable to secure admission due to limited spaces in existing institutions.

He recalled that prior to the creation of the new universities, over 20,000 qualified candidates seeking admission into universities in Delta State in 2020 could not be accommodated because of inadequate capacity at Delta State University, Abraka.

According to him, the impact of the policy has begun to manifest with the successful graduation of the pioneer set of students from the newly created institutions.

The governor disclosed that the maiden graduation cycle of the three universities has produced a total of 3,203 graduates, comprising 1,206 from the University of Delta, Agbor; 1,231 from Southern Delta University, Ozoro; and 416 from Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba.

He said the development demonstrates the foresight behind the expansion of the state’s higher education system to create more opportunities for young people to pursue university education.

Oborevwori described the maiden convocation of Dennis Osadebay University as a historic milestone in the state’s drive to strengthen tertiary education and build a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and sustainable development.

Reflecting on the university’s establishment, he noted that when the law creating the three institutions was passed in 2021, he was serving as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and did not imagine he would later return as Visitor to celebrate the graduation of the pioneer students.

The governor also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who signed the bill establishing the universities into law, while commending the pioneer Vice-Chancellor and staff of Dennis Osadebay University for laying a strong academic foundation for the institution.

Highlighting projects executed at the university under his administration’s MORE Agenda, Oborevwori listed 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 the furnishing of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences building had been completed, while work was ongoing on the Faculty of Management Sciences building, alongside the construction of a perimeter fence and plans for additional student hostels.

The governor assured that the state government would also build more student hostels, a sports complex and a Faculty of Law building among other facilities.

 

Oborevwori reiterated that education remains central to his administration’s development agenda, noting that deliberate investments in funding, improved staff welfare and engagement with labour unions had helped maintain stability across tertiary institutions in the state.

He further disclosed that through the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Programme, the state 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 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ease the financial burden of higher education.

Congratulating the graduating students, he urged them to remain diligent, innovative and upright as they move into the next phase of their lives, advising them to reject shortcuts and uphold excellence as worthy ambassadors of their university and Delta State.

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 a CGPA of 4.93.

Governor Oborevwori rewarded her with a cash prize of N5 million, while 24 other First Class graduates received N1 million each in recognition of their academic excellence.

Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor 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 operations were conducted from temporary spaces, but noted that significant progress had been recorded within a short period.

According to him, the institution admitted about 150 students at inception in 2021. By the 2022/2023 academic session, admissions rose to 1,589, while the 2024/2025 session recorded 4,403 admissions across eight faculties.

Oghojafor disclosed that the university has so far admitted a total of 14,851 students and that within five years its academic staff have produced over 547 journal publications, 234 conference proceedings and seven books.

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 degrees, while discussions are ongoing with global technology company Cisco to enhance digital skills training.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Robert Ikomi, described the convocation as a defining milestone in the life of the institution.

He commended the management, staff and students for their dedication to excellence and urged the graduating students to uphold integrity and remain worthy ambassadors of the university.

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

She assured that the graduating class would continue to make the institution proud in their future endeavours.

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