200 Beneficiaries Receive NDDC Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has awarded Foreign Post Graduate Scholarships to 200 successful candidates for its 2025 scholarship programme.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, observed that the 200 beneficiaries underwent a qualification process that was free from political interferences or external influences.

He stated: “The panel, which was constituted to carry out this qualification process, worked hard to produce the best candidates. I want to commend the panellists for doing a great job. They raised the bar, leading to the best results”

Ogbuku announced that last year, one of the beneficiaries of the NDDC foreign scholarship programme produced the best results, which is an indication of quality in the selection process.

He added that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the Commission would consider resuming the award of scholarships for doctoral studies given the brilliant performance of the past beneficiaries.

He further described the programme as one of the NDDC’s obligations aimed at improving the successes of the Commission and exposing the people of the region to the experience and development of other civilisations.

He admonished the beneficiaries to refrain from criminality and any other act that could tarnish the image of the Commission and the country as a whole.

The programme consultant, Chief Godson Idozo, in his remarks, hinted that 30,000 persons applied for the programme, and 6,000 were shortlisted for the aptitude test. At the same time, 200 applicants hit the foreign scholarship award merit lists.

The NDDC Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Dr George Uzonwanne, congratulated the beneficiaries for passing through the various stages of the examination process, while urging them to remain focused and determined in their academic pursuits.

The Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, and the Managing Director took turns to present award letters to the successful candidates.

Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs
June 19, 2025

Arase Foundation Awards Scholarships to Outstanding Students, Honours Legacy of Service and Excellence

The Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF) has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to education, youth empowerment, and social impact with the hosting of its Annual Scholarship Grant ceremony.

The initiative celebrates academic excellence while providing financial support to deserving Nigerian students, particularly from underserved backgrounds.

This year’s beneficiaries include high-achieving students enrolled in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, selected for their academic merit, leadership potential, and community engagement. The scholarship also specifically supports children of deceased rank-and-file police officers as well as students from the seven Local Government Areas in Edo South—a nod to Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase’s roots and values.

The Foundation, established on the pillars of integrity, service, and excellence—principles that have defined Dr. Arase’s illustrious career in public service—continues to expand its impact by nurturing a new generation of changemakers.

“This is more than a financial award,” a spokesperson from the Foundation noted. “It is a seed of hope, a recognition of hard work, and a call to leadership.”

This year’s grant spans a wide range of academic disciplines, underscoring the Foundation’s inclusive approach to development. The breakdown of the scholarship recipients is as follows:

the scholarship recipients is as follows:

Medicine & Surgery – 13

Dentistry – 1

Mechanical Engineering – 1

Political Science – 1

Remote Sensing & Geoscience Information System – 1

Business Administration – 1

Agricultural Economics & Extension – 1

Criminology & Security Studies – 1

Guidance & Counseling – 2

Biology Education – 1

Pharmacy – 1

History and Diplomatic Studies – 1

Language & Linguistics – 1

Microbiology – 1

Science Laboratory Technology – 1

Human Nutrition & Dietetics – 1

The scholarship grant not only eases financial burdens for the recipients but also inspires them to strive for excellence and societal impact, mirroring the values of the man in whose name the Foundation was created.

SEAF’s annual initiative remains a vital instrument in promoting equitable access to higher education, with the long-term goal of building a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.

“By investing in these young minds today,” the Foundation asserts, “we are building the architects of tomorrow’s Nigeria.”

Moniepoint Backs Interschool Oratory Contest to Mark International Day of the Boy Child

Moniepoint Inc, a leading African fintech company, has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development by partnering with the Mega Impact Foundation for the 5th edition of the NextGen Connect Interschool Oratory Competition held in Asaba, Delta State.

Organised in celebration of the International Day of the Boy Child, the event brought together Senior Secondary School Two (SS2) students across Delta to speak on the theme: “The Role of Financial Inclusion and Technology in Shaping a Brighter Future for Young People in Africa.”

Investing in the Voices of Tomorrow

Moniepoint, renowned for advancing financial inclusion through digital financial services, used the platform to spotlight exceptional student voices. Otovo Praise of Crystalloid International School won the top prize and received a full-year scholarship from the Tosin Eniolorunda STEM Foundation, in line with Moniepoint’s mission to foster educational excellence.

Audi Innocent of St. Patrick’s College secured second place, earning ₦300,000, while Asher David of Glorious Kids Academy took third with a ₦200,000 reward.

“At Moniepoint, we believe that driving sustainable innovation begins with future-proofing and expanding the talent pool by empowering the next generation with the tools that they need to succeed—especially basic literacy skills which remain fundamental pillars in socio-economic development,”said Tosin Eniolorunda, CEO of Moniepoint Inc.

“These young voices represent the future of African leadership, and their insights into financial inclusion and technology demonstrate the remarkable potential that exists within our communities. Through our various educational and developmental initiatives such as the CAD/CAM lab we donated to OAU last year or the Moniepoint DreamDevs programme, we are betting big on an investment in Africa’s future.”

More Than Just Prizes

The initiative focused not just on monetary rewards but on creating platforms for self-expression and critical thinking among young minds. The competition is part of Moniepoint’s wider youth-focused initiatives such as the NextGen Connect Conference and Tech-In-School conversations, designed to help students gain confidence and engage with real-world issues.

Winner of the Presentation.

In her remarks, Florence Ogonegbu, Founder of the Mega Impact Foundation, said,

“We reaffirm our commitment to building an Africa where every young person has simplified access to sustainable education, capacity building, and empowerment. By leveraging technology and local initiatives, we are creating platforms that enable our youth to thrive and transform their communities. Together with partners like Moniepoint, we are not just shaping futures—we are driving a movement for social development that will resonate globally. Every boy, every young person, deserves the opportunity to unlock their full potential and drive lasting impact across our continent.”

The event also received backing from the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, reflecting a joint effort to nurture young talent and promote inclusive development.