More than 400 beneficiaries of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) postgraduate scholarship programme have expressed frustration over the continued delay in the payment of their funds, giving the Commission a seven-day deadline to resolve the issue or risk a peaceful protest.
In a petition addressed to the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the scholars warned that they may stage a peaceful demonstration at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt if their concerns are not urgently addressed.
The petition, signed by Shedrack James Owen on behalf of the affected students, stated that repeated attempts to reach the Commission through official communication channels had yielded little or no response.
According to the scholars, the delay in payment has placed severe academic, financial, emotional, and psychological pressure on beneficiaries studying in different tertiary institutions across the country.
They explained that many of them are struggling to meet essential academic obligations such as tuition fees, research and dissertation costs, departmental clearances, project requirements, accommodation, transportation, and other basic needs required to complete their postgraduate programmes.
The group noted that although award letters were issued on October 8, 2025, and beneficiaries had completed all necessary verification, screening, profiling, and documentation processes, a large number of qualified scholars were yet to receive any payment.
“We have remained patient, cooperative, and respectful of due process as beneficiaries of the Commission’s educational support scheme,” the petition stated.
They further alleged that multiple efforts to obtain updates via phone calls, emails, WhatsApp messages, and physical engagements with relevant officials had not produced any formal response or clear payment timeline.
While acknowledging reports that some beneficiaries may have been paid around March 23, 2026, the scholars insisted that many verified participants are still awaiting payment without explanation.
The group emphasised that their demand is not intended to cause disruption but to secure urgent action, improved transparency, and clear communication regarding the outstanding disbursements.
They called on the Commission to issue an official explanation for the delay, release a definite payment schedule, commence immediate settlement of all verified beneficiaries, and establish a more responsive communication system for scholars.
The scholars warned that failure to receive a satisfactory response within seven working days would leave them with no choice but to embark on a peaceful protest, citing their constitutional right under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
However, they reiterated their willingness to engage in dialogue within the given timeframe in order to resolve the matter amicably.