Private Universities in Delta State

Quick answer: Delta State has seven NUC-approved private universities: Novena, Western Delta, Edwin Clark, Michael and Cecilia Ibru, Margaret Lawrence, Sports University and Godday Erewa. Admiralty University is now federal.

Quick takeaways

• Novena University (2005) is the oldest private university in Delta State; Godday Erewa University (2026) is the newest.
• Admiralty University is now federal, so older lists that call it private are out of date.
• Eagle Heights University was not on the NUC list when we checked, so do not pay any fee to it.
• All seven admit through JAMB, and you must accept your offer on JAMB CAPS.

Private Universities in Delta State

• Western Delta University, Oghara, Oghara (Private)
• Novena University, Ogume, Ogume (Private)
• Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Kiagbodo (Private)
• Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbara-Otor, Agbara-Otor (Private)
• Sports University of Nigeria, Idumuje-Ugboko, Idumuje-Ugboko (Private)
• Margaret Lawrence University, Galilee, Galilee (Private)
• Godday Erewa University, Sapele, Sapele (Private)

Federal · State · Private

When each one was licensed

The year is the one the NUC gives for each university, from the oldest to the newest.

• Novena University, Ogume (2005). Catholic-founded and the oldest private university in the state.
• Western Delta University, Oghara (2007).
• Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo (2015).
• Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor (2015). In Ughelli North; some lists give Owhrode or Ughelli as its location, and they mean the same university.
• Margaret Lawrence University, Galilee, Umunede (2022). The NUC list gives no official website yet.
• Sports University, Idumuje-Ugboko (2022). A specialised university for sports-related courses.
• Godday Erewa University, Sapele (2026). Licensed this year, so check with the university directly for its first admission intake before you plan around it.

Is Admiralty University still a private university?

No. Admiralty University of Nigeria in Ibusa started as a private university run with the Nigerian Navy, and the NUC now lists it as a federal university. Older websites still put it on private university lists, so expect federal school rules and fees if you apply there. See it on our federal universities in Delta State page.

What about Eagle Heights University?

You may see Eagle Heights University, Warri, on some lists. It was not on the NUC list of approved private universities when we checked. Do not pay any form or acceptance fee to a university you cannot find on the NUC list, because a degree from an unlicensed school will not be recognised for NYSC or for jobs that ask for an accredited degree.

How to check a private university is approved

It takes about two minutes, and it is the one check that protects your fees and your degree.

1. Open nuc.edu.ng.
2. Go to Nigerian Universities, then Private Universities.
3. Type the university's name into the search box above the table.
4. Check that the name and town match the school you are applying to. If it is not there, stop and ask the university for its NUC licence.

To see which courses a university is allowed to admit you into, use the JAMB brochure on the IBASS site (ibass.jamb.gov.ng) and search for the university. A course that is missing from the brochure cannot be chosen on JAMB.

How admission into a private university works

Private universities in Delta State admit through JAMB, the same as federal and state universities.

1. Write the UTME and choose the private university on your JAMB profile, or change to it later through a change of institution on the JAMB portal.
2. Apply for the university's own screening when it opens. Each university sets its own form, date and screening method, so watch its official website and social pages.
3. When you are offered admission, accept it on JAMB CAPS. The offer is not final until you accept it there.
4. Pay the acceptance fee only through the payment route on the university's official portal.

Fees vary widely between the seven schools and change most sessions. Ask the university's admissions office for the current fee schedule for your course before you accept.

Frequently asked questions

How many private universities are in Delta State?

Seven, according to the NUC list we checked on 3 November 2026.

Which is the oldest private university in Delta State?

Novena University, Ogume, licensed in 2005.

Which is the newest private university in Delta State?

Godday Erewa University, Sapele, licensed in 2026.

Is DELSU a private university?

No. Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU) is owned by the Delta State Government.

Is there a federal university in Delta State?

Yes, four: FUPRE in Effurun, the Nigerian Maritime University in Okerenkoko, Admiralty University in Ibusa and the Federal University of Health Sciences in Kwale.

Do private universities accept JAMB?

Yes. You need a UTME result, or Direct Entry, and you must accept your admission on JAMB CAPS, just as you would for a federal or state university.