By: NOL24 News Desk
OGHAREKI, DELTA STATE — Delta State’s Model Technical College, Oghareki, has enrolled 369 students within its first week, as the state government prepares to commission the newly built and equipped institution.
The Commissioner for Technical Education, Hon. Smart Ijeoma Ufoh, disclosed the figure on Sunday, September 27, 2026, during an inspection of facilities at the college.
Ufoh said 87 students were already residing in the school hostel, while admission remained open as more parents are enrolling their children and this is fundamentally because Governor Sheriff Oborevwori insists that this facility must be ready in record time.
According to the commissioner, 135 students have been admitted into JT1, 113 into JT2 and 121 into ST1, where students will receive more intensive practical training.
The commissioner said 19 students who previously attended the technical college at Omadino had also transferred to Oghareki following the takeover of the Omadino campus by the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun.
From 30% Completion to Commissioning
Ufoh said the Oghareki college was about 30 per cent complete when Governor Sheriff Oborevwori assumed office, but had now taken magnificent look in its completion with modern classrooms, laboratories, workshops, hostels and other facilities.
He declared the institution ready for commissioning, saying all classes had commenced.
“Today is September 27, 2026, I want to categorically state as follows: this school is ready for commissioning. All the classes have resumed,” Ufoh said.
The commissioner said the college was equipped with specialised workshops covering fabrication and welding, fashion and design, building and construction, motor mechanics, refrigeration and air-conditioning, auto electricity, auto body repair, ICT, solar installation, electrical installation, furniture and carpentry.
The institution also has Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories.
Technology, Practical Skills at the Centre
Ufoh said the ICT workshop has more than 100 computers, supported by dedicated solar power, air-conditioning and CCTV surveillance.
The building and construction workshop, he added, has equipment capable of producing 100 blocks per hour.
The facilities, he said, were designed to move students beyond classroom learning and equip them with practical skills that could translate into employment and entrepreneurship.
“We are training students here to become employers of labour tomorrow,” Ufoh said.
The Commissioner who was full of praise for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, stated that the Governor’s commitment to the best for Delta state is legendary and has seen him push always for the best quality and standard. He said the state government expects investment in technical education to expand the pool of skilled workers, increase local production and contribute to reducing unemployment. He stated that what Governor is doing here is equally being replicated in Irri and Akugbene.
Staffing Challenges being tackled in the new facilities. The commissioner acknowledged that staffing would be critical to the college’s success.
Ufoh said the institution would require 133 teaching staff and 26 non-teaching staff, particularly professionals capable of operating specialised equipment and teaching students practical skills.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Technical Education, Dr. Anthony Okwunze, thanked the state government for foresight and unprecedented disposition.
He however highlighted some critical areas that are being attended to. He said the current workforce was significantly below what was required.
“The teaching staff we have in this place are just about 13, including the principal and the vice-principal. So, definitely, to be able to put these workshops into good and productive use, more teachers will have to come on board,” Okwunze said.
School Seeks Bus for Student Mobility
Okwunze also appealed for the provision of a school bus, saying it would help students attend trade fairs, exhibitions and other activities outside the college.
He said the college’s location made reliable transportation important for both students and staff.
He commended the security arrangements at the institution, including its perimeter fencing, barbed wire, security post and CCTV cameras.
Industry Exposure Planned
Ufoh said the government planned to expose students to industries through industrial training and partnerships, giving them opportunities to acquire practical experience before graduation.
He said opportunities arising from investors and businesses attracted through the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit would also be explored to provide students with industry exposure.
The commissioner said some parents in Oghareki were already transferring transferring their children from conventional secondary schools to the technical college.
He described the enrolment of 369 students in the first week as an indication of growing public interest in technical education.
Ufoh urged the students to obey school rules, protect government facilities and take full advantage of the equipment and practical training available to them.
With admissions still ongoing, the Oghareki Model Technical College is now awaiting commissioning.