About 150 indigent university students from the Niger Delta are set to benefit from a scholarship scheme by the Nigeria Exploration Production Limited/NDWestern Asset Management Team (AMT), operators of the OML 34 Joint Venture (JV).

The beneficiaries emerged from a pool of 280 candidates who participated in a university scholarship aptitude test held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the College of Education, Warri, Delta State. The examination, supervised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to empower students from its 35 host communities.

Speaking on the exercise, NEPL/NDWestern JV’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Oghenekaro Ovraiti, emphasized the need for transparency and fairness in the selection process. Represented by the company’s Community Liaison Officer, Mr. James Ekeanyanwu, Ovraiti explained that WAEC was engaged to ensure the integrity and credibility of the examination.

“We sent messages to our host communities and, based on the facilities in the area, we selected students—three or four from each community,” Ovraiti stated. “We gave community chairmen the free hand to nominate the students, while our role was to conduct the examination.”

He noted that the selection was based on oil production and pipeline-bearing quotas, reflecting the company’s commitment to promoting education and supporting capacity development among its host communities.

The scholarship initiative reaffirms NEPL/NDWestern JV’s dedication to sustainable development and educational advancement in the Niger Delta region.