By Elohor Foghola
In a bid to empower students from oil-producing areas and support their academic aspirations, the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has officially flagged off the 2024/2025 bursary scheme for undergraduate students from oil-producing communities across Delta State.
The announcement was made by the Executive Director of Social Services, Chief Favour Izoukumor, during a press briefing held on May 8, 2025. According to him, the initiative is a demonstration of the Commission’s continued investment in education, youth empowerment, and the sustainable development of host communities.
Izoukumor stated that the bursary program goes beyond financial aid, describing it as a strategic tool to stimulate academic success, human capital development, and community transformation.
“This is more than a handout—it is a pathway to future leadership and socio-economic stability. By alleviating financial pressures, we aim to reduce dropout rates and encourage higher enrollment in tertiary institutions,” he said.
The bursary scheme is specifically targeted at full-time undergraduate students who are in 200 level and above in any Nigerian university or polytechnic.
Eligible applicants must be indigenes of oil-producing areas from the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ika, Isoko, or Ndokwa ethnic groups. Part-time, pre-degree, and postgraduate students are not qualified to apply under this scheme.
Applicants are required to upload several documents including a recent passport photograph, valid student ID card, admission letter, letter of identification from the Oil-Producing Nationalities Student Union, National Identification Number (NIN) slip, and certificate of local government origin. All documents must be uploaded in JPEG format with a maximum file size of 5MB each.
The application portal will be open from May 8 to May 29, 2025. Students must first create an account on the DESOPADEC bursary portal, fill in their personal, institutional, and bank details, upload the required documents, and review all entries before final submission. Applicants can save their progress and complete the form at a later time within the application window.
Chief Izoukumor concluded the briefing by reaffirming DESOPADEC’s commitment to the educational advancement of the region.
He urged all eligible students to seize the opportunity and ensure that their submissions comply with the stated guidelines. Further inquiries can be directed to the DESOPADEC website or via email at desopadecburs@gmail.com.
He commended the Commission’s leadership, led by the Chairman of the DESOPADEC Board, Chief John Nani, and the Managing Director, Chief Festus Ochonogor, for their roles in advancing educational support for Delta youths.
Responding to the development, Mr. Freedom Onagba, President of the Confederation of Delta State Ethnic Nationalities Students’ Union (CODSUPENSU) and an indigene of the Urhobo ethnic nationality, expressed heartfelt appreciation to Executive Director of Social Service, Chief Favour Izuokumor and the Members of the Board of DESOPADEC.
“This is a milestone we have long anticipated. On behalf of students across the oil-producing communities, I thank the Commission for this impactful gesture. It shows that the welfare and future of Delta students truly matter to the Board,” he stated
