Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has reiterated his commitment to solving financial challenges confronting institution of higher learning in the state.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme made this known during the 2nd Education Summit, with the theme of “Alternative Funding for Tertiary Institutions”. which held at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba.
He said the challenges facing higher education were not peculiar to government, but there can be distinctively innovative and transformative responses to solving the problems.
“Our tertiary institutions are not just centres of learning, but engines of social mobility, economic development and human capital transformation”.
“Our sole aim is to reinvent and reinvigorate the funding landscape for tertiary institutions in the state”.
“We have witnessed remarkable strides in addressing the challenges faced by our higher Institutions and we have fostered renewed commitment to accessibility, equity and quality in education. You are all witnesses to the giant stride development in the history of our tertiary institutions in the State. (Four universities, three polytechnics, two colleges of education)/ yet there is still much work to be done”.
According to him, the occasion marks a significant milestone not only in the state’s commitment to academic excellence adding that it foster a spirit of collaboration among educators, policy-makers, and students to address a challenge that strikes at the core of our developmental aspirations.
He said it was imperative that the higher education system is not only responsive to these changes, but also anticipatory equipping our students with the skills, knowledge and critical thinking necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world.
The governor said with the immense pressures faced by students, prioritizing mental health resources and creating inclusive spaces, will help cultivate resilience and empower the students to pursue their academic and personal goals.
“Equally important is our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our institutions must reflect the rich diversity of our population, ensuring that every student has equitable opportunity to succeed. It is our responsibility to create a culture where every voice is heard and every perspective is valued. Only then can we cultivate a truly enriching educational experience”.
In his address the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, described the challenges as both multifaceted daunting, encompassing financial constraints, shifting demographics, and the relentless pace of technological advancement.
He urged the institution managers to collectively harness the power of collaboration, creativity, and innovation.
he said with higher institution as a catalyst for economic development. The heads of institutions must deepen their commitment to ensuring that their institutions can sustain their mission of providing high-quality education, fostering ground breaking research, and adapting to the ever-evolving job market.
According to him, the state Government has been exceptionally generous in supporting its nine tertiary institutions, by funding the salaries of all academic and non-academic staff.
“Our state was among the first states to implement the 25/35% salary review for tertiary institution staff, including several months’ arrears”, he said.
Delta State also led the way in paying the new minimum wage and the government also provides bursaries to over 30,000 students annually.
He added that the state government has approved the employment of approximately 600 academic and non-academic staff in the state-owned tertiary institutions and also been supporting the institutions with large amount of funds annually for resource verification and accreditation.
Highlighting the achievement of the state in education, the Commissioner said that the capital budget for the Ministry of Higher Education is 32 billion naira. By the end of the 2024/2025 admission period, approximately 25,000 candidates would have been admitted to study various courses in the nine state -owned tertiary institutions. In 2025, about 13,000 students are expected to graduate from these institutions.
Also highlighting the government’s significant efforts in enhancing infrastructure within the institutions, he said since assuming office, the Governor has commissioned the Faculty of Agriculture Complex, three auditoriums and administration building at the Dennis Osadebey University in Asaba.
“Our Governor also commissioned the administrative building, roads and VC’s lodge in Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro”.
As part of the convocation ceremony in 2024, the new Faculty of Science building in Abraka was also commissioned, adding that he has visited the state-of-the-art Engineering laboratory and Auditorium in University of Delta Agbor.
The Commissioner revealed that a new campus of the Delta State University of Science and Technology is being built at Orerokpe, alongside other several other ongoing projects in our tertiary institutions.
Highlight of the event was lecture session by Prof Lawrence Ezemonye, Prof Douglas Omotor and Mr Abiodun Adedeji; good will messages and the meet the Press session.
