Universities in Delta, Nigeria — Full List (2026)

The Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun (FUPRE) is a federal specialised university established on 14 March 2007 by the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria and approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC). It is Nigeria's first and Africa's first dedicated petroleum university, and the sixth petroleum university in the world. Located in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, FUPRE was established to produce world-class professionals and researchers for Nigeria's critical oil and gas sector. The university began undergraduate admissions in 2008 after initially sharing facilities with the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Effurun. FUPRE moved to its permanent site in Ugbomro, Uvwie LGA in 2010. The university operates five colleges focused exclusively on science, engineering, technology and management related to the petroleum and energy industry. It is NUC-accredited across all its programmes.

Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) Okerenkoko is a federal university established in 2018, located in Okerenkoko, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. It is Nigeria's first dedicated maritime university and one of the few maritime-specialised universities in Africa. The university was established to develop world-class professionals for Nigeria's maritime sector, coastline management, shipping industry and blue economy. NMU is situated in the heart of the Niger Delta waterways, giving it direct access to real-world maritime environments for practical training. It is approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN) is a private university owned by the Nigerian Navy, established in 2017 and located in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. ADUN is one of the very few military-owned universities in Nigeria. It is accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and in 2022 received NUC accreditation for 12 courses including law, engineering and maritime studies programmes. The university admits both military personnel and civilian students, and is governed by the Nigerian Navy. Its location in Ibusa, on the Asaba-Benin expressway, makes it accessible to students from both Delta and Edo States.

Edwin Clark University (ECU) is a private university established in 2015, located in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State. The university is named after Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, one of Nigeria's most prominent elder statesmen, Ijaw leader, and political figure who has played a significant role in Niger Delta affairs and Nigerian national politics for over six decades. ECU is NUC-accredited and offers undergraduate programmes in sciences, social sciences, management and arts. Its location in the Ijaw heartland of Burutu LGA makes it a critical institution for higher education access in the waterways communities of Delta State.

Margaret Lawrence University (MLU) is a private university established in 2021 and located in Umunede, Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State. The university is approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and is positioned to serve students in the Ika axis of Delta State. MLU offers undergraduate programmes in sciences, social sciences and management. It is named after Margaret Lawrence, a Canadian physician and author with connections to African development, reflecting the university's commitment to global academic standards.

Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (MCIU) is a private university established in 2015 by the Ibru family — one of Nigeria's most prominent business dynasties, founders of Intercontinental Bank and several major enterprises. The university is named after Michael Ibru (1930–2016), patriarch of the Ibru family and one of Nigeria's most celebrated entrepreneurs, and his wife Cecilia Ibru. Located in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, MCIU was granted its operating licence on 5 March 2015 and received full (100%) NUC accreditation for all its courses in January 2019. MCIU offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in sciences, technology, management and social sciences.

Novena University is a private Catholic university established in 2005 by the Diocese of Issele-Uku of the Catholic Church, located in Kwale-Ogume, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State. It was the first private university to be established in Delta State and is fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Novena University is grounded in Catholic intellectual tradition and offers programmes in sciences, social sciences, management, arts and law. The university is named after the Catholic devotional prayer (novena) and is committed to producing graduates of academic excellence and strong moral character.

Sports University of Nigeria (SUN) is a private university established in 2021, located in Idumuje-Ugboko, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. It is Nigeria's first dedicated sports university and one of very few sports-focused universities in Africa. The university is approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and focuses on sports science, sports management, physical education, human kinetics and allied health and social sciences related to sport. Its establishment reflects Nigeria's growing recognition of the economic and developmental importance of the sports industry.

Western Delta University (WDU) is a private university established in 2007 by a group of Urhobo scholars and philanthropists, located in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State. WDU is the second private university to be established in Delta State. Oghara is a significant town in Delta State — it is home to the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH). WDU offers programmes in sciences, social sciences, management, computing and humanities. It is fully accredited by the National Universities Commission.

Delta State University Abraka (DELSU) is the flagship state university of Delta State, established in 1992 by the Delta State Government. It is one of the oldest and largest state universities in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. DELSU is headquartered in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area, with additional campuses in Oleh (Isoko South LGA) and Anwai-Asaba. The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across eleven faculties including medicine, law, engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, and the arts and sciences. DELSU is fully accredited by the NUC and is known for its strong medical, law and education programmes. It is one of the biggest state universities in Nigeria by student population.

Delta State University of Science and Technology (DSUST), Ozoro is a state-owned public university established in 2021 by the Delta State Government under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. It was carved out of the former Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro — one of the oldest polytechnics in the south-south — and upgraded to full university status by the Delta State House of Assembly. Located in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, DSUST focuses on science, technology, engineering and allied disciplines. It is accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and operates two campuses in Ozoro.

Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba is a state-owned public university established in 2021 by the Delta State Government. It was formerly the Delta State University Anwai Campus, Asaba — one of DELSU's satellite campuses — before being converted into a fully independent university by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's administration. Located at the Anwai area of Asaba, Delta State capital, DOU is named after Chief Dennis Chukude Osadebay, one of Delta State's most celebrated statesmen and the first premier of the former Mid-Western Region of Nigeria. The university currently comprises six faculties and is NUC-accredited.

University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor is a state-owned university established in 2021 by the Delta State Government. It was converted from the former College of Education, Agbor — one of the oldest colleges of education in the South-South region, established in 1979 during the era of the former Bendel State. Located in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, UNIDEL operates three campuses at Agbor, Owa-Oyibu and Owa-Alore. The university has nine faculties and is NUC-accredited. It is positioned to build on the College of Education's strong legacy in teacher training while expanding into sciences, management and social sciences.