Amnesty Programme Boosts Education: 220 Nigerians Studying in UK, 8,000 Enrolled Locally

Amnesty Programme Boosts Education: 220 Nigerians Studying in UK, 8,000 Enrolled Locally

The Federal Government has disclosed that no fewer than 220 Nigerians are currently studying in the United Kingdom under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), while over 8,000 beneficiaries are pursuing various academic programmes within Nigeria.

Established in 2009, the Presidential Amnesty Programme was designed to address militancy in the Niger Delta by disarming and rehabilitating former agitators. Over time, the initiative has evolved into a comprehensive platform focused on education, skills acquisition, and empowerment to promote sustainable peace and development in the region.

Under the scheme, beneficiaries receive fully funded scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, monthly stipends, and book allowances for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Participants are drawn from key Niger Delta states, including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.

In 2025 alone, the programme sponsored 161 beneficiaries for postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, with an additional 34 deployed to various UK universities for the 2025–2026 academic session.

Administrator of the programme, Dennis Otuaro, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the initiative, with a renewed focus on critical and emerging fields such as data science, cybersecurity, and energy law.

According to him, the goal is to build a knowledge-driven Niger Delta by equipping beneficiaries with relevant global skills that can contribute to national development.

The programme continues to play a key role in transforming lives and fostering stability in the oil-rich region, while also positioning Nigerian youths for global competitiveness.