The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced plans to launch its first-ever local postgraduate scholarship program as part of efforts to strengthen human capital development across the region.
The initiative, which will benefit 600 indigenes from the NDDC’s nine mandate states, was unveiled by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku. He disclosed the plan during a visit to the venue of the ongoing foreign postgraduate scholarship interviews in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Dr. Ogbuku explained that the local postgraduate scholarship scheme will complement the NDDC’s existing foreign scholarship program, thereby expanding access to quality education and enhancing capacity-building opportunities for Niger Delta youths.
“This is a strategic investment in our people,” he said. “By introducing the local postgraduate scholarship program, we are creating more avenues for young professionals to acquire advanced knowledge and skills without necessarily having to travel abroad.”
The local scholarship program is designed to promote research, innovation, and the acquisition of specialized knowledge in key fields such as engineering, science, technology, health, and environmental studies. It is expected to strengthen local expertise and contribute to the region’s socio-economic development.
Meanwhile, the foreign postgraduate scholarship interviews, which Dr. Ogbuku visited, are scheduled to conclude this week. Successful candidates from this process are expected to commence their studies overseas by June.
The NDDC’s scholarship initiatives—both local and foreign—are key components of its broader human capital development strategy. They reflect the Commission’s commitment to addressing educational disparities in the Niger Delta and equipping the region’s youth to become active contributors to national growth and development.
