The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has sent another batch of 31 postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries to the United Kingdom to commence studies in various fields, as part of its ongoing investment in human capital development in the Niger Delta.
The latest batch departed Nigeria from Abuja on Friday, September 18, 2026, and arrived in London to begin their respective postgraduate programmes at universities in the United Kingdom.
The 31 scholars were part of 150 beneficiaries who participated in a pre-departure briefing organised in August following their deployment by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro. They were preceded by another batch of 54 beneficiaries who departed Nigeria the previous week.
The scholars will undertake postgraduate studies in a range of disciplines, including forensic audit, construction engineering management, data science analytics, law, software engineering, oil and gas engineering, cybersecurity, global public health and fintech analytics, among others.
With the latest deployment, Otuaro has now deployed a total of 243 overseas postgraduate scholarships in 2026, reflecting the programme’s continued focus on education and skills development for young people from the Niger Delta.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Otuaro charged them to take their academic responsibilities seriously and conduct themselves responsibly throughout their studies, urging them to justify the investment being made in their education.
He called on the scholars to appreciate the support of the President Bola Tinubu administration by pursuing academic excellence and returning value to the communities and region from which they came.
Otuaro expressed optimism that the scholarship investment would produce long-term benefits for both the Niger Delta and Nigeria, particularly by strengthening the region’s human capital and contributing to peace, stability and socio-economic development.
“The huge benefits of the investment in the Niger Delta youths’ education will be felt in the years to come,” Otuaro said, explaining that the programme was not only addressing gaps in human capital development but also creating a pool of highly educated young people capable of contributing to the future of the region.
He added, “Apart from closing the human capital development gap, we are building a community of intellectuals that will be the light of our region in the interest of peace, stability and development of communities in the country.”
The PAP administrator also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his support for the programme and its educational initiatives, saying the administration had demonstrated commitment to the development of the Niger Delta and the education of its youths.
He equally commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his support and contributions to the Presidential Amnesty Programme, while thanking other PAP stakeholders for their cooperation and encouragement.
Otuaro reiterated his commitment to initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable peace, stability and development in the Niger Delta, with education and human-capital development positioned as important components of that effort.
The latest scholarship deployment adds to the growing number of Niger Delta beneficiaries receiving opportunities for advanced education and professional training outside Nigeria, with the PAP expecting the beneficiaries to apply their knowledge and expertise to the development of the region and the country.
