CDHR Urges Oborevwori To Subsidise Fees For Indigenes In State-Owned Tertiary Institutions

The Delta State Branch of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently reduce tuition and other fees for indigenous students in state-owned universities and polytechnics.

The call was made by the Delta State Chairman of CDHR, Comrade Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, who said education must remain affordable and accessible to the children of the state.

Agberen argued that education should not become a luxury, particularly for indigenous students whose communities contribute significantly to the economic resources of the state and the country.

According to him, the removal of the fuel subsidy has resulted in increased allocations to the Delta State Government from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), but the increased revenue has not translated into corresponding relief for the state’s indigenous population.

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He said rising living costs, unemployment and increasing school fees were putting additional pressure on families and students.

The CDHR chairman expressed concern that the financial burden was allegedly pushing some male students into internet fraud and some female students into prostitution as they struggle to meet educational expenses.

He maintained that one of the fundamental responsibilities of government was to improve the welfare and living conditions of the people.

“If Delta State is receiving more money, indigenous students must feel the impact,” Agberen said.

CDHR urged the state government to dedicate a transparent portion of its FAAC allocation towards subsidising tuition and other fees for indigenous students in state-owned tertiary institutions.

The organisation proposed that no indigenous student in a Delta State-owned tertiary institution should pay more than ₦200,000 in total fees per academic session, particularly students enrolled in professional courses.

It also called for a clear difference between the fees payable by indigenous and non-indigenous students.

The human rights organisation further argued that Delta State’s natural resources should be leveraged to expand educational opportunities for its citizens.

“Delta State is blessed. We produce over 75% of Nigeria’s petroleum, which accounts for over 50% of national government revenue. The wealth from our land should be a tool for giving our children access to education,” the statement said.

CDHR noted that tertiary institutions in the state had yet to publish their fees for the 2026/2027 academic session and urged the government to use the period to introduce measures that would make tertiary education more affordable for indigenous students.

The organisation also appealed to Governor Oborevwori to place human capital development alongside physical infrastructure in the state’s development priorities.

“Construction of roads and bridges alone is not enough. Human capital development is the greatest infrastructure,” CDHR said.

It added that the government should prioritise the education of Delta children, stressing that an educated population would contribute to the productivity and development of the state.

“Subsidize their education now. An educated Delta is a productive Delta. An uneducated Delta is a crisis waiting to happen,” the organisation stated.

The statement was signed by Comrade Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, Chairman, CDHR Delta State Branch, and Comrade Godswill Nosa Overseey, Publicity Secretary, CDHR Delta State Branch.