Governor of Delta State and Visitor to Dennis Osadebay University, 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 qualified students.
The governor spoke on Saturday during the maiden convocation ceremony of the university in Asaba, where 416 pioneer graduates received first degrees across various faculties including Agriculture, Arts, Behavioural Sciences, Computing, Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences and Sciences.
Oborevwori explained that the creation of the three universities in 2021 was a strategic response to the growing number of qualified students who could not gain admission into existing institutions due to limited capacity.
He recalled that in 2020 alone, more than 20,000 qualified applicants seeking admission into universities in Delta State could not be accommodated, particularly at Delta State University, Abraka.
According to the governor, the impact of that policy decision has now become evident with the successful graduation of the first set of students from the new institutions.
He disclosed that the maiden convocation cycle across the three universities produced a total of 3,203 graduates, comprising 1,206 from University of Delta, Agbor; 1,231 from Southern Delta University, Ozoro; and 416 from Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba.
Oborevwori described the development as a clear demonstration of the importance of expanding higher education opportunities in the state.
“The establishment of these universities has enabled more of our young people to pursue university education and build the knowledge and skills needed for the future,” he said.
The governor also described the maiden convocation of Dennis Osadebay University as a historic milestone in the state’s efforts to strengthen tertiary education and develop 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 did not imagine he would later return as governor and Visitor to celebrate the graduation of the pioneer students.
Oborevwori commended the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Ben Oghojafor, and staff of Dennis Osadebay University for laying a strong academic foundation for the institution.
Highlighting the government’s investments in the university, the governor listed several infrastructure projects completed under his administration’s MORE Agenda, including the Faculty of Agriculture complex, 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 the state government would continue to expand facilities at the institution, including the construction of additional student hostels, a sports complex and a Faculty of Law building.
Oborevwori reiterated that education remains central to his administration’s development strategy, noting that deliberate investments in funding, staff welfare and engagement with labour unions have helped maintain stability in tertiary institutions across the state.
He also revealed that the state government is strengthening entrepreneurship education through its Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Programme to equip students with practical skills and start-up support.
The governor further encouraged students to take advantage of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund initiative introduced by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to help ease the financial burden of higher education.
Congratulating the graduating students, Oborevwori urged them to remain diligent, innovative and disciplined as they begin the next phase of their lives.
The highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of the overall best graduating student and valedictorian, Regina Chukwufunannya Mike-Ogisi, who graduated from the Accounting Department with an outstanding CGPA of 4.93.
The governor rewarded the valedictorian with a cash prize of ₦5 million, while 24 other First Class graduates received ₦1 million each in recognition of their academic excellence.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ben Oghojafor, described the maiden convocation as a historic turning point for the institution, noting that despite initial infrastructural challenges at inception in 2021, the university had recorded remarkable growth within a short period.
He disclosed that the institution admitted about 150 students at inception but had since grown significantly, recording 4,403 admissions in the 2024/2025 academic session and a total student population of over 14,000.
Oghojafor added that the university has also made significant academic contributions, producing hundreds of scholarly publications and establishing partnerships with institutions in the United Kingdom and the University of the West Indies in Jamaica.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Robert Ikomi, described the convocation as a defining moment for the university and urged the graduating students to remain worthy ambassadors of the institution.
In her valedictory address, Mike-Ogisi expressed gratitude to the Delta State Government and the university management for providing a conducive learning environment, assuring that the graduating class would continue to uphold the values of the institution.
Of the 416 graduates, 25 made First Class honours, 167 earned Second Class Upper Division, 185 graduated with Second Class Lower Division, while 39 obtained Third Class degrees.
