Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (MCIU)

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.

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.