Oborevwori Charges Delta Tertiary Institutions On Employability, Research

DELTA State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has challenged tertiary institutions in the state to move beyond producing certificate holders and focus on developing competent graduates, impactful research and practical solutions to 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.

Tonukari said Delta had witnessed significant expansion in tertiary education, with four state-owned universities, three polytechnics and two colleges of education, alongside federal and private institutions operating across the state.

According to him, enrolment in state-owned tertiary institutions had increased from slightly above 50,000 students in 2023 to more than 100,000, while the Oborevwori administration had employed over 1,250 academic and non-academic staff.

He said the government had also invested heavily in faculties, laboratories, administrative buildings, hostels and accreditation, while supporting selected federal and private institutions with infrastructure and other interventions.

Tonukari said the investments reflected Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to human-capital development under the M.O.R.E Agenda.

He, however, stressed that increased access to higher education must now translate into measurable outcomes for students, institutions and society.

“Access is only the beginning. The question before us is: what are we doing with this opportunity?” he asked.

The commissioner identified graduate employability as one of the major responsibilities of tertiary institutions, urging them to align their curricula with the realities of the modern economy.

He called for greater emphasis on digital skills, entrepreneurship, communication and critical thinking, as well as stronger partnerships between institutions and industry.

Tonukari said entrepreneurship centres and the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) should provide students with practical experience that would prepare them for employment and enterprise.

The commissioner also urged universities and other tertiary institutions to prioritise research that addresses challenges in agriculture, environmental degradation, flooding, healthcare, fisheries, agro-processing and economic diversification.

He said research should no longer end on library shelves but should, where possible, produce patents, products, technologies, services and policies capable of benefiting government, industry and communities.

Tonukari also advocated institutional specialisation, urging each tertiary institution to identify areas where it could develop national or international recognition rather than attempting to excel in every field.

He cited the potential of Delta State University, Abraka, to strengthen its research profile; Southern Delta University, Ozoro, to develop technology hubs; Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, Burutu, to focus on maritime and blue economy development; and the College of Education, Mosogar, to deepen sports education.

On artificial intelligence, Tonukari urged tertiary institutions to embrace digital transformation while ensuring that technology did not undermine critical thinking, creativity, ethics and academic integrity.

He also encouraged institutions to explore additional revenue sources through research grants, consultancy, professional programmes, alumni endowments, intellectual property, commercial ventures and carefully structured public-private partnerships.

The commissioner called on tertiary institutions to deepen their impact on host communities through health programmes, agricultural extension services, adult education, youth mentorship and other interventions.

He also urged institutions to explore flexible opportunities for older Deltans seeking higher education.

Tonukari called on professors and researchers to contribute more actively to national policy debates, publish influential research and develop technologies capable of attracting recognition beyond Nigeria.

He also urged the private sector to regard tertiary institutions as development partners by supporting industry-sponsored research, internships, laboratories, scholarships and technology partnerships.

The commissioner challenged vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts to give their institutions distinctive identities, strengthen collaboration with industry and prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

He stressed that government, academia and industry must work together to make higher education a stronger driver of national development.