ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday signed into law three landmark bills aimed at strengthening social protection, improving teacher education and tightening the state’s security framework, in a move widely seen as reinforcing the policy pillars of his MORE Agenda.
The laws are the Delta State Social Investment Programme Law, the Delta State Colleges of Education Law, 2025, and the Delta State Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism (Amendment) Law, 2025. The Governor also assented to the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦1.729 trillion, but emphasised that the newly signed laws provide the institutional backbone for sustainable development, inclusive growth and public safety in Delta State.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Governor Oborevwori said the Social Investment Programme Law gives legal force to government’s interventions targeted at vulnerable and underserved citizens, ensuring transparency, equity and continuity beyond political cycles. According to him, the law establishes a clear framework for grassroots-focused access to social support without discrimination, thereby strengthening the state’s social safety net.
He described the Colleges of Education Law, 2025, as a major reform in the education sector, noting that it standardises the operations of state-owned colleges of education and expands their academic mandate. The law, he explained, empowers the institutions to award both Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) and education degrees concurrently, while enhancing their capacity to train more qualified teachers needed to drive quality learning outcomes across the state.
On security, the Governor said the Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism (Amendment) Law responds to emerging threats by strengthening the legal framework to combat cultism, terrorism and related crimes. He noted that the amendment aligns existing state legislation with current security realities and reinforces the government’s zero-tolerance stance on criminality.
Oborevwori said the three laws collectively underscore his administration’s commitment to people-centred governance, stressing that social welfare, education and security remain non-negotiable priorities. He added that while infrastructure and economic growth are critical, sustainable development must be anchored on strong institutions and laws that protect citizens and promote social justice.
The Governor commended the Delta State House of Assembly for its diligence in scrutinising and passing the bills, describing the process as a reflection of the strong working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government. He also thanked stakeholders, cabinet members and civil servants for their contributions to the legislative process.
Earlier, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, said the passage of the three laws followed rigorous legislative engagement, wide consultations and careful review to ensure they meet the needs of the state.
Guwor explained that the Social Investment Programme Law institutionalises social intervention initiatives to protect vulnerable populations and promote inclusive growth and social equity. He said the Colleges of Education Law, 2025, creates a uniform operational framework to improve the quality, efficiency and relevance of teacher education, while reducing disparities among state-owned institutions.
On the Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism (Amendment) Law, the Speaker said the House addressed gaps in the principal legislation, including the absence of a clear definition of cultism, to enhance enforcement and prosecution of related offences.
He noted that the Governor’s assent to the laws demonstrates a shared vision between the legislature and the executive to build a safer, more inclusive and better-educated Delta State. The Speaker added that the same spirit of cooperation also informed the passage of the 2026 Appropriation Law, which was considered sector by sector in line with the MORE Agenda.
According to him, the new laws will significantly strengthen governance, social stability and human capital development, laying a firmer foundation for Delta State’s long-term socio-economic progress.
