The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced plans to broaden its Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship Programme by including opportunities for study within Nigerian universities. The move is aimed at deepening human capital development across the Niger Delta region.
Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed the expansion during a visit to the venue of the ongoing interviews for the foreign postgraduate scholarship in Port Harcourt. He revealed that the new arrangement would increase the number of beneficiaries to 600, compared to the 200 students typically awarded scholarships to study abroad.
Dr Ogbuku praised the efforts of the interview panel and urged members to remain objective in their assessments to ensure that only the most capable and deserving candidates are selected.
“Students who have benefited from this programme in the past have achieved distinctions in their fields, and we have not received any reports of misconduct or negative behaviour,” he said.
Providing further insight into the selection process, NDDC Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Dr George Uzonwanne, said it was deliberately structured to promote fairness and credibility. He explained that more than 30,000 individuals applied for the scholarship, out of which 6,000 were shortlisted to sit for a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
“From those who took the CBT, 2,500 candidates who scored 70 per cent or higher were invited for the oral interview stage. Candidates were able to view their scores immediately after completing their tests, which reassured many of the transparency of the process,” Uzonwanne noted.
Chairman of the interview panel, Professor Beleudanyo Fente, commended the NDDC for its continued investment in education and regional development. He acknowledged the Commission’s efforts in building infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, solar lighting, and piped water, in addition to its educational initiatives.
Professor Fente assured that the panel would uphold the integrity of the process by ensuring fairness and impartiality, with the goal of awarding scholarships to the most deserving candidates.
Some of the applicants also expressed satisfaction with the exercise. Mr Benedict Chigozie described the process as transparent and well organised. He commended the NDDC for creating opportunities for academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students.
Miss Blessing Chinonso, a physically challenged applicant, expressed her gratitude to the Commission for implementing the scholarship programme. She appealed to the NDDC to put in place specific provisions to support applicants living with disabilities.
The NDDC’s postgraduate scholarship scheme continues to serve as a vital platform for equipping young professionals in the Niger Delta with skills and qualifications to drive development in the region.