No fewer than 32 postgraduate scholars sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have graduated with distinction from Coventry University in the United Kingdom, marking a major academic milestone for the Commission’s foreign scholarship programme.
The scholars, drawn from various states in the Niger Delta, received their degrees at a colourful graduation ceremony held last Thursday at the university’s campus in Coventry. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, led a delegation of senior Commission officials to the event to celebrate the outstanding performance of the students.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Dr. Ogbuku described the scholars as “excellent ambassadors of the Niger Delta region,” noting that none of the students had ever been linked with any form of misconduct.
“These brilliant scholars have made the region and the entire country proud. They are proof that when young people are given the right support, they can achieve excellence anywhere in the world,” he said.
The NDDC boss emphasized the Commission’s commitment to human capital development through education, describing it as the most powerful tool to transform the fortunes of the oil-rich but underdeveloped Niger Delta.
Dr. Ogbuku recalled that in 2024, 18 scholars under the Commission’s scholarship scheme also graduated with distinctions from the same institution, stating that the consistent success of NDDC-sponsored students underscores the merit-driven and transparent nature of the programme.
He, however, noted that some scholars who failed to attain distinction may have been affected by limited computer literacy, especially in navigating the blended learning model widely adopted in UK institutions.
“In future editions of the programme, applicants must present verifiable proof of computer proficiency before being considered. This will ensure that all beneficiaries are fully prepared for the rigours of modern academic environments,” he added.
While in Coventry, the NDDC delegation also held talks with university authorities to explore possible partnerships and academic exchanges between Coventry University and institutions in the Niger Delta.
Since its inception in 2010, the NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme has sponsored hundreds of Niger Delta youths to pursue master’s degrees in top universities around the world, with a focus on disciplines that support regional development.
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