The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has officially launched the 2024/2025 bursary scheme for students from its mandate areas.
The bursary portal went live Thursday, May 8th, 2025, and will remain open until May 29th, 2025, allowing eligible students to submit their applications.
Speaking at the launch, DESOPADEC’s Executive Director of Social Services, Chief Favour Izoukumor, who represented the Commission, emphasized that the initiative reflects the Board’s strong dedication to education, human capital development, and sustainable progress in oil-producing communities.
“This scheme is more than just financial assistance; it is a strategic investment in our youth, community upliftment, and future leadership,” Chief Izoukumor stated.
He highlighted the pressing need to support students and their families amidst the country’s harsh economic realities. The program, he noted, was unanimously approved by the DESOPADEC Board, led by Chairman Chief Barr. John Nani and Managing Director/CEO Chief Festus Ochonogor, to ease financial burdens on students from the region.
According to Chief Izoukumor, the DESOPADEC bursary is designed to inspire academic excellence and community development. “This initiative will boost tertiary enrollment, reduce student dropout rates, and relieve beneficiaries of financial stress, allowing them to focus more on their studies,” he said.
Applicants must be full-time undergraduates from the oil-producing ethnic nationalities of Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri, Ika, and Ndokwa. Eligible students must be in their 200 level or above at any accredited Nigerian university or polytechnic. Part-time, pre-degree, or postgraduate students are not eligible.
Required documents must be uploaded in JPEG format and must not exceed 8MB per file. These include: Recent passport photograph, Valid student ID card, Official admission letter, Identification letter from the Oil Producing Nationalities Students Union, National Identity Number (NIN) slip, and Certificate of local government of origin.
To apply, students must create an account on the DESOPADEC Bursary portal, provide personal, institutional, and bank details, upload the necessary documents, and review all information before final submission. The application portal can be accessed at https://www.desopadecbursary.com.ng.
Chief Izoukumor urged all qualified students to apply within the stipulated timeline and ensure their applications are accurate and complete. He reiterated DESOPADEC’s commitment to advancing education and promoting sustainable development across Delta State.
At the launch event, Comrade Onagba O. Freedom, National President of the Urhobo ethnic nationality, along with other leaders from DESOPADEC’s mandate areas, expressed gratitude to the Commission and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, for their continued support of student welfare in challenging economic times.
“We reaffirm our unwavering support for the policies and initiatives of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori,” said Comrade Onagba.
Other dignitaries present at the event included Mr. Jude Azosibe Elaye, Head of Social Services Department; Mrs. Theresa Ogboriaphien, Divisional Head of Youths and Sports; Mr. Ezekiel Ikporikpo; Mr. Monday Itoghen, and aides of the Executive Director. Ethnic student leaders such as Comrade Emmanuel Ifeanyi Chukwuji (Ndokwa), Comrade Aweh Nanasentei Johnson (Ijaw), Ifeanyi Godsent Ebubechukwu (Ika), Efedhoma Shelly (Isoko), and Eyitweremi Amajuoritse (Itsekiri) were also in attendance.
