NDDC expands postgraduate scholarship scheme to Nigerian varsities

Samuel Ogbuku, MD of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), says the agency is extending its postgraduate scholarship programme to include Nigerian universities.

Ogbuku was in Port Harcourt on Tuesday for an interview session for candidates applying for the commission’s foreign postgraduate scholarship.

He stated that under the expanded scheme, 600 indigent students from the Niger Delta region would be awarded scholarships to pursue postgraduate degrees in universities across Nigeria.

“The 600 students will benefit from the expanded scheme, compared to the 200 who currently receive foreign scholarships,” he said.

Ogbuku emphasised that the selection process for the local scholarship awards would be conducted with full transparency, ensuring that only qualified candidates are chosen.

He further noted that recipients of the commission’s foreign scholarships programme had consistently distinguished themselves academically in their respective countries of study.

“We commend our interview panellists for their dedication and impartiality, which ensures that only the most qualified candidates are selected for the scholarships,” he said.

Also speaking, George Uzonwanne, director of education, health, and social services at the NDDC, said over 30,000 applicants had applied for the scholarships, with only about 6,000 candidates passing the computer-based test.

He reaffirmed the integrity of the process, noting that candidates receive their test scores immediately upon completion of the CBT.

“From this number, 2,500 applicants scored 70 per cent or higher, enabling them to proceed to the oral interview stage, which will determine the final beneficiaries of the foreign postgraduate scholarships,” Uzonwanne stated.