Thirty-one beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme have travelled to the United Kingdom to begin postgraduate studies at different universities under the programme’s overseas scholarship scheme.
The scholars departed Abuja on Friday and subsequently arrived in London, becoming the latest group of beneficiaries sent abroad for further studies by the programme.
Their departure followed that of 54 scholars who travelled to the UK last week as part of the same scholarship initiative.
Both groups are among 150 beneficiaries who attended a pre-departure orientation in August after their deployment was approved by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro.
The latest beneficiaries will undertake postgraduate studies across several disciplines, including forensic audit, construction engineering management, data science analytics, law, software engineering and oil and gas engineering.
Others will study cybersecurity, global public health, fintech analytics and related courses.
The programme said Otuaro has approved a total of 243 overseas postgraduate scholarships in 2026 as part of efforts to expand educational opportunities and human capital development for youths from the Niger Delta.
Addressing the scholars, Otuaro urged them to take their studies seriously and maintain responsible conduct throughout their programmes.
He said their academic performance should reflect the investment being made in their education and the support provided by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
According to the PAP administrator, developing young people through education could contribute to lasting peace, stability and economic development in the Niger Delta and the wider country.
“The huge benefits of the investment in the Niger Delta youths’ education will be felt in the years to come.
“Apart from closing the human capital development gap, we are building a community of intellectuals that will be the light of our region in the interest of peace, stability and development of communities in the country,” Otuaro said.
He expressed confidence that the skills and knowledge acquired by the beneficiaries would eventually contribute to the development of their communities and Nigeria.
Otuaro also thanked President Tinubu for supporting the Presidential Amnesty Programme and its initiatives, saying the administration had shown commitment to youth education and development in the Niger Delta.
He equally acknowledged the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for his support and contributions to the implementation of the programme.
The PAP administrator thanked stakeholders in the region for their cooperation and pledged to continue pursuing initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable peace, stability and development across the Niger Delta.
