Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has approved an extension of the retirement age for associate professors in state-owned universities from 65 to 70 years. The announcement was made on Friday in Asaba by the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, during a briefing with journalists. Tonukari described the decision as both strategic and compassionate, saying it aims to strengthen the academic system, expand postgraduate programmes, and enhance mentorship for younger lecturers. He explained that the approval brings Delta State universities in line with the federal policy, which in 2012 increased the retirement age for academic staff in the professorial cadre to 70 years and for non-academic staff to 65. Although the law had already been applied at Delta State University, the new approval now extends its full implementation to all other state-owned universities. “In 2012, the Federal Government amended the law to extend the retirement age of academic staff to 70 years. Now, His Excellency has magnanimously applied this to associate professors across all state universities,” Tonukari noted. Addressing concerns that the policy might block opportunities for younger academics, Tonukari explained that recent expansions in tertiary education have opened many new positions. “Since 2023, more than 600 academic and non-academic staff have been recruited across our universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education due to ongoing growth and accreditation,” he said. He commended the Oborevwori administration for its investment in institutions such as Southern Delta University, Ozoro; Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba; University of Delta, Agbor; and the new Southern Delta University campus in Orerokpe. Tonukari added that these expansions have almost doubled the size and capacity of the state’s higher education institutions.