The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has attributed the programme’s large-scale onshore and offshore deployment of scholarship beneficiaries to the strong backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Otuaro stated this at a pre-departure orientation programme for 25 foreign postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries deployed to universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The event held Thursday at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, featured lectures on Social and Cultural Relations in the UK, Academic Expectations, Administration of the Scholarship, as well as the presentation of laptops to each beneficiary to enhance research and thesis writing.
The scholars are to undertake programmes in areas including artificial intelligence, quantity surveying and commercial management, cybersecurity, business analytics, advanced structural engineering, data science, finance and financial technology, international law and security, public health, among others.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, Otuaro said President Tinubu’s approval of an increased budget for the PAP had made it possible to accommodate more beneficiaries for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
According to him, the President’s unwavering commitment has further strengthened the PAP as a vehicle for changing the Niger Delta narrative and building the human capital required for the region’s social, economic and political development, as well as that of the nation.
Represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, Otuaro also commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, noting that his tireless supervision of the programme had contributed significantly to the milestones recorded by the agency.
“We are extremely grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his strong commitment to this programme, not only in policy direction but also in funding,” he said.
“The programme used to operate on a low annual budget, but the President graciously approved an increase. This is why we are able to deploy more scholarship beneficiaries. The people of the Niger Delta have every reason to applaud Mr President for backing this programme strongly.”
He added: “We also deeply appreciate the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, under whose supervision this office operates. He has worked tirelessly with us to ensure the programme delivers tangible results in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Otuaro urged the scholars to pursue academic excellence, shun distractions and comply with the laws of their host country and the regulations of their institutions.
“As you embark on this academic journey to the United Kingdom, remain focused. This programme is a pathway to changing the Niger Delta narrative,” he said.
“Let your background, the sacrifices made to give you this opportunity and the huge investment in your education motivate you to excel. When you complete your studies, return home and contribute your quota to the development of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.”
