PORT HARCOURT (Sundiata Post) – Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced the expansion of the commission’s Postgraduate Scholarship Programme to include Nigerian universities.
Ogbuku made the disclosure during an interview session for candidates applying for the commission’s foreign postgraduate scholarship, held in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
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 added.
Also speaking, Dr George Uzonwanne, Director of Education, Health, and Social Services at the NDDC, outlined the rigorous procedures adopted to maintain a transparent selection process.
He revealed that over 30,000 applicants had applied for the scholarships, with only about 6,000 candidates passed the Computer-Based Test (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.
He reaffirmed the integrity of the process, noting that candidates receive their test scores immediately upon completion of the CBT, thereby ensuring transparency and fairness. (NAN)
