Otuaro’s Renewed Hope Revolution: UK Graduates Emerge, 771 More Scholars Set to Rewrite Niger Delta Story
By Passman Akpos
Nine foreign scholarship beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have successfully completed their master’s degree programmes from top universities in the United Kingdom, marking a major milestone in the ongoing human capital development efforts for the Niger Delta.
The scholars, who are the first batch deployed offshore to UK institutions under the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, graduated during the 2024–2025 academic session from Anglia Ruskin University, the University of Dundee and The University of Law.
They bagged degrees in vital fields such as cyber security, data science and engineering, law, ICT, project management, and construction and civil engineering management.
In addition, another 771 undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries are expected to graduate from Nigerian universities in 2025, reinforcing PAP’s direct contributions to expanding the knowledge and professional base of the region.@A graduation reception was held in London on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, in honour of the UK scholars
Otuaro Praises Scholars, Reaffirms Commitment to Educational Empowerment
Addressing the graduates, PAP Administrator Dr. Dennis Otuaro congratulated them for attaining academic success within record time.
“We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary,” he said.
He emphasized that their achievements justify the Federal Government’s investment in their educational development.
Otuaro further encouraged other beneficiaries to remain focused on their studies, reiterating his mission to widen educational access and reduce the human capital development gap in the Niger Delta.
Massive Scholarship Deployment
Dr. Otuaro highlighted PAP’s accelerated scholarship placements:
3,800 beneficiaries deployed in-country in 2024–2025
3,900 deployed in-country in 2025–2026
200 awarded foreign scholarships
In less than two years, PAP has deployed:
7,700 students within Nigeria, and
162 students for post-graduate programmes in the Uk
These initiatives, he said, are aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises development and inclusive progress for the Niger Delta.
“Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds,” he said.
Otuaro added that the PAP is also expanding support for informal education as a strategic step toward sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement in the region.
The press release was signed by Mr. Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, on December 4, 2025.
