Oborevwori: Produce Graduates, Not Just Certificates
SEO TITLE:* Oborevwori Charges Delta Tertiary Institutions on Employability, Research
*SLUG:* oborevwori-charges-delta-tertiary-institutions-employability-research
By Oghenefejiro Emado
21, September 2026
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged tertiary institutions in the state to move beyond producing certificate holders and focus on developing competent, employable graduates and research that solves societal challenges.
The Governor gave the charge through the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, who delivered a lecture titled, “Repositioning Tertiary Institutions for National Development and Institutional Responsibilities,” at the 3rd Delta State Higher Education Summit in Asaba.
He said access to education is only the beginning, stressing that institutions must align their curricula with the realities of the modern economy and equip students with digital, entrepreneurial, communication and critical-thinking skills.
Tonukari called for stronger partnerships between institutions and industry, noting that entrepreneurship centres and the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) must provide practical experience capable of preparing students for employment and enterprise.
He urged universities and polytechnics to prioritize research that addresses challenges in agriculture, environmental degradation, flooding, healthcare, fisheries, agro-processing and economic diversification, adding that research must translate into patents, products, technologies and policies.
The Commissioner advocated institutional specialization, saying Delta State University, Abraka, should strengthen its research profile; Southern Delta University, Ozoro, should develop technology hubs; Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, Burutu, should focus on maritime and blue economy; and College of Education, Mosogar, should deepen sports education.
He disclosed that Delta has witnessed remarkable expansion in tertiary education with four state-owned universities, three polytechnics and two colleges of education, alongside federal and private institutions, with enrolment rising from slightly above 50,000 in 2023 to over 100,000.
According to him, the Oborevwori administration has employed over 1,250 academic and non-academic staff and invested heavily in faculties, laboratories, administrative buildings, hostel accommodation and accreditation, while supporting selected federal and private institutions.
On Artificial Intelligence, he said institutions must embrace digital transformation without undermining critical thinking, creativity, ethics and academic integrity, and should explore additional revenue through research grants, consultancy, professional programmes, alumni endowments and public-private partnerships.
He charged Vice-Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts to give their institutions distinctive identities, deepen impact on host communities, and called on the private sector to regard tertiary institutions as development partners through sponsored research, internships, laboratories and scholarships.
