By Ayo Kehinde
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced the commencement of applications for its 2026/2027 foreign master’s postgraduate scholarship programme, offering fully funded opportunities for qualified youths from the Niger Delta region.
The commission disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X handle on Monday, noting that the application portal opened on March 23, 2026, and will close on April 19, 2026.
According to the NDDC, the scholarship programme is designed to equip young Nigerians from the region with advanced skills and specialised training, with a view to strengthening local content capacity and enhancing global competitiveness.
The commission stated that prospective applicants must possess a minimum of a second-class upper division degree and must not be more than 40 years of age at the time of application.
It added that interested candidates are required to apply online through its official website, submitting necessary documents including a recent passport photograph, Local Government Identification letter, postgraduate admission letter from a recognised overseas university, relevant academic certificates, and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge or exemption certificate.
Applicants, upon successful submission, will be issued a registration number and are advised to print their acknowledgment slip for reference throughout the selection process.
The NDDC explained that the selection process will commence with preliminary shortlisting based on academic credentials such as WASSCE or NECO results, undergraduate degree classification, and proof of Local Government identification.
Shortlisted candidates will proceed to a computer-based test scheduled to be held in Rivers State, where a minimum score of 70 per cent will be required to advance to the next stage.
Successful candidates from the test stage will undergo further screening and final verification through their respective Local Government Areas and Community Development Committees.
The commission noted that the scholarship is fully funded and will be awarded in line with the prevailing exchange rate of the naira at the time of disbursement.
It further stated that preference will be given to applicants from oil-producing states in the Niger Delta, including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
The NDDC emphasised that changes in course or institution after selection will not be permitted, adding that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for subsequent stages of the exercise.
The commission also reiterated that it reserves the right to make final decisions on all scholarship awards.
