No fewer than 32 students sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under its postgraduate scholarship programme have graduated with distinction from Coventry University in the United Kingdom. The students, who received their degrees across various academic fields, were celebrated during the university’s graduation ceremony held on Thursday in Coventry.
The Managing Director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, who led a delegation to attend the ceremony, commended the scholars for their remarkable academic achievements. He described the graduates as exemplary ambassadors of the Niger Delta region, highlighting that their performance reflects the discipline, integrity, and commitment that the commission expects from its beneficiaries.
“They are excellent ambassadors of the Niger Delta region,” Ogbuku said. “No scholar from the NDDC has ever been associated with misconduct, which underscores the admirable character of our beneficiaries. Their success brings pride not only to the commission but also to the entire nation.”
Ogbuku noted that the tradition of excellence established by earlier recipients of the scholarship has set a high standard for future scholars to follow. He revealed that 18 other NDDC-sponsored students also achieved distinctions at Coventry University earlier in 2024, a testament to the programme’s continued success.
According to him, the outstanding performance of the scholars affirms the commission’s unwavering commitment to human capital development as a vital tool for regional transformation. “Education remains the most powerful instrument for transforming the fortunes of the Niger Delta region,” he said. “We are proud of the transparent and merit-based process through which these scholars were selected.”
Ogbuku also acknowledged the challenges faced by some students who did not attain distinction, attributing it to gaps in computer proficiency. He explained that the UK’s education system heavily relies on digital tools and blended learning, which may be unfamiliar to some Nigerian students. To address this, he announced that future applicants to the NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship programme would be required to provide proof of computer literacy to better prepare them for academic life abroad.
Beyond the graduation ceremony, the visit to Coventry also served as a platform for the NDDC to explore potential collaborations between the university and institutions in the Niger Delta. According to Ogbuku, such partnerships could further strengthen educational ties and expand opportunities for young people in the region.
The achievements of these scholars stand as a testament to the potential that lies within the Niger Delta when given the right support and opportunities, and they underscore the value of continued investment in education as a pathway to sustainable development.