Tinubu Committed to Bridging Niger Delta Human Capital Gap Through PAP Scholarships — Otuaro
By Ezekiel Kagbala
ABUJA — The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to closing the human capital development gap in the Niger Delta through sustained investment in education and scholarship programmes.
Otuaro stated this on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from Anglia Ruskin University at the PAP headquarters in Abuja.
The delegation comprised the university's Regional Director for Africa, Nana Adom, Senior Admissions Manager, Eve Flower, and Country Manager for Nigeria, Linda Ayodele.
Speaking during the meeting, Otuaro said the Tinubu administration views education as a strategic tool for transforming the Niger Delta and equipping young people with the skills required for national development.
According to him, the President is fully committed to supporting the Presidential Amnesty Programme's scholarship initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is unwaveringly committed to supporting the Presidential Amnesty Programme and believes strongly that education is one of the best investments for the youths of the Niger Delta. He is determined to bridge the human capital development gap in the region," Otuaro said.
He disclosed that Anglia Ruskin University currently has 69 PAP alumni, while 28 beneficiaries are studying at the institution under the scholarship scheme.
The PAP Administrator added that his administration had so far deployed 36 students to the university, with two expected to graduate in September 2026, four in January 2027 and 18 in May 2027.
Otuaro further revealed that the programme recently recorded more than 50 first-class graduates and over 40 second-class upper degree holders, describing the achievements as evidence of the success of the Federal Government's investment in education.
He said about 9,000 students have benefited from in-country scholarship programmes, while 273 are studying in universities across the United Kingdom.
According to him, the investment is aimed at producing skilled manpower capable of contributing meaningfully to peace, development and nation-building in the Niger Delta and the country at large.
He also commended Anglia Ruskin University for its longstanding partnership with the Presidential Amnesty Programme, noting that the collaboration had continued to produce positive results.
Earlier, the leader of the university delegation, Dr. Nana Adom, said the visit was to strengthen existing ties between the institution and the PAP.
He praised the academic performance of PAP-sponsored students, saying reports from the university's faculties indicated that the beneficiaries had distinguished themselves through excellent academic achievements.
