By Joy Omagha Idam, Abuja
The Presidential Amnesty Programme has bid farewell to 150 Niger Delta beneficiaries leaving for the United Kingdom to pursue postgraduate studies under its scholarship scheme.
The beneficiaries, comprising 50 First Class graduates and 100 Second Class Upper (2:1) graduates, were hosted on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the PAP Corporate Headquarters, Abuja, for a pre-departure orientation programme.
The orientation exposed the scholars to academic, travel and institutional protocols they are expected to observe during their studies in the UK.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaru, charged them to uphold the image of the Niger Delta, Nigeria and the Presidential Amnesty Programme throughout their stay abroad.
“You are the light of the Niger Delta. This is a serious investment under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Otuaru told the scholars.
He warned them against disappointing the President, the PAP, their families and communities, urging them to return to Nigeria after their studies and deploy their knowledge to drive development in the Niger Delta.
Otuaru disclosed that the August departure was the third batch of PAP scholarship beneficiaries to leave Nigeria for overseas studies this year, following earlier departures in February and May.
He added that about 8,700 beneficiaries are currently studying in various Nigerian universities under the PAP scholarship scheme, with many recording impressive academic performances.
PANDEF Chairman Applauds Otuaru
The National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Ambassador Dr Godknows Boladei Igali, OON, commended Otuaru for what he described as efforts to reposition and expand the PAP scholarship programme.
Igali particularly welcomed the expansion of the scheme to cover postgraduate, Master’s and PhD programmes, alongside first-degree studies in Nigerian universities.
He urged the beneficiaries to take their studies seriously, obey the laws of the UK and the regulations of their respective institutions, and strive for academic excellence.
“Nigerian children are the brightest and best brains all over the world. Be worthy ambassadors and be the best. Above all, return home and give back to your fatherland,” Igali said.
He challenged the scholars to be intentional about their academic performance, stressing that their achievements could open doors to employment opportunities with leading organisations.
Igali also commended veteran Niger Delta activist, Ann-Kio Briggs, for her consistency and vocal role in the struggle that preceded the establishment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Ann-Kio Briggs Rejects ‘Militants’ Tag
Speaking at the event, Briggs rejected the description of the Niger Delta youths who participated in the struggle as “militants”, insisting that they were agitators demanding a voice and a fair share of the benefits from the resources extracted from their region.
She explained that the agitation was driven by young people seeking greater participation in decisions concerning the oil resources from the Niger Delta and demanding that oil-producing communities feel the impact of the resources extracted from their land.
According to her, the struggle eventually culminated in the establishment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
IYC Seeks Bigger PAP Budget
The President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr Doubra Okotete, called on the Federal Government to increase funding for the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Okotete argued that the revenue accruing from Nigeria’s oil resources justified greater funding for the programme, particularly to accommodate more beneficiaries and expand its human-capital development initiatives across the Niger Delta.
He urged the government to sustain and strengthen its investment in the education and empowerment of young people from the region.
‘Your Performance Will Determine PAP’s Future’
Meanwhile, the Technical Assistant to the PAP Administrator, Dr Edgar Daniel Biu, read out the scholarship’s terms and conditions and other rules of engagement to the beneficiaries.
Biu urged the scholars to remain disciplined and protect the reputation of the PAP throughout their studies.
He stressed that their academic performance could influence future government investment in the programme.
“If you do well, it will spur President Tinubu to increase the budget for the programme,” he said.
Biu also praised Otuaru for his commitment to transforming the PAP, noting that the Administrator and his team had worked beyond conventional limits to restore efficiency and effectiveness to the programme.
He urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity, excel academically and return home equipped with the knowledge and skills required to contribute to the development of their communities and Nigeria.