Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) conducted a Computer-Based Test (CBT) for 6,000 applicants from the nine Niger Delta states, all competing for its Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship programme.
The tests were held at the Information and Communication Technology Centre of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
Alabo Boma Iyaye, NDDC Executive Director for Finance and Administration, highlighted the commission’s dedication to developing human capital.
He noted that the candidates were selected from across the Niger Delta, with testing sessions spread over three days.
“We encountered challenges during shortlisting because some applicants failed to provide complete information or documents,” Iyaye explained. While acknowledging the significant cost of the foreign scholarship, he confirmed NDDC’s commitment to sustaining it and announced plans to introduce scholarships for local universities and undergraduate students to include more beneficiaries.
Dr. George Uzonwanne, NDDC Director of Education, Health and Social Services, emphasized that the scholarship programme, launched in 2010, aims to produce highly skilled professionals capable of competing globally.
“This initiative equips young people with expertise for the Federal Government’s local content programme and specialization in fields such as engineering, information technology, environmental science, geosciences, law, management sciences, and architecture,” he said.
Uzonwanne expressed confidence in the transparent selection process, which continues to yield outstanding performers across these disciplines.
