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NDDC Scholars Turn Destitutes In UK
Some beneficiaries of the foreign scholarship scheme of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) are presently lamenting their ordeals, following their alleged abandonment by the commission.
The affected scholars, mostly of the 2014/2015 batch of the scheme, accused the commission of abandoning them in the cold to rot away in foreign land without payment of their tuition and maintenance fees.
One of the affected scholars, Mr. Francis John (real name withheld), who spoke with The Tide in a phone interview, said the collective hope of the students of a rosy educational career in the United Kingdom has been dashed.
He said 200 beneficiaries emerged out of 3,000 applicants in a thorough academic test, and awarded scholarship letters of $30,000 for 1 year’s Masters Programme and $30,000 yearly for three years’ PhD programmes, but that the fees were never paid, accordingly.
The scholar said that some beneficiaries “have been unable to either continue their programmes or barred from collecting their certificates after graduation, due to a catalogue of debts on maintenance and tuition fees”.
He said; “As a result of non-payment of scholars’ tuition fees throughout the first semester, many students were forced to obtain loans from Nigeria to pay the bills after a long time”.
The move, he said was to meet registration deadlines and avoid cancellation of studentship and immigration status.
According to him, some of the students were now being chased by the universities’ credit agencies, as a result of high indebtedness.
The affected scholar said the misery they now pass through in foreign land was never envisaged at the initial stage of the programme, as they counted on the assurances of NDDC’s transparency in the scholarship scheme.
The scholar expressed disappointment over the antics of the NDDC toward the running of the scholarship scheme, alleging that the scheme was beclouded by “political colouration and partisan interest”.
“I don’t know why the 2014/2015 batch is being treated this way. Those who came to the scheme in January this year have had their tuition and other fees cleared. Is it because Dan Abia, the former MD, who belongs to PDP signed our letters? We have been use for political experiment”.
According to John, “Most of the affected scholars now walk out on daily basis on the street of their host countries in search of menial jobs to survive. We now live like destitute in the UK”.
He further explained that, “The commission asked us to send bank details after months of apparent silence from them on the matter, but money was never paid into our accounts”.
This, he said, led to a protest at the Nigerian High Commission in UK, which forced the commission to release some payments in 2016, of which most of the scholars were not paid.
The protest, he noted, prompted a visit of the NDDC’s delegation to scholars in respective universities in the UK and US, explaining that to date, no payment has been made.
He called for quick intervention by the Federal Government to save the affected scholars from further suffering.
It would be recalled that the present board of NDDC had emphasized the commitment of the commission towards sustaining the funding of the foreign scholarship, which started under the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government.
Efforts to get official comments of the NDDC on the matter were not fruitful as several calls sent to the commission were not replied.
Taneh Beemene
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.