Delta NGO gives scholarship with N800k yearly stipend to 13 indigent students

The Otemu Educational Foundation (OEF) has formally inducted the first set of beneficiaries under its merit-based scholarship programme for underprivileged yet high-achieving students in Delta State. Naija247news gathered that the induction ceremony took place on Thursday at the main auditorium of Western Delta University (WDU), Oghara, welcoming 13 exceptional scholars selected for the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to Naija247news, the foundation, which was established by former Delta State governor James Ibori—addressed the press on Friday to highlight the significance of the programme and its intended impact on higher education in the state.

The beneficiaries, Naija247news understands, were drawn from a pool of 475 shortlisted applicants, and underwent a rigorous four-stage screening process before being selected. The foundation said the initiative was launched in November 2024 with the aim of sponsoring indigent but deserving students across Delta State to pursue higher education.

At the induction ceremony, Ibori, who serves as chairman of OEF’s board of trustees, stated the foundation is anchored on the philosophy of “empowerment through fairness”. He told attendees that “this is not charity. This is justice. This is equity. We are deliberately empowering those who have earned their place but lacked the means to claim it.”

He further noted that the foundation recognises the vital role education plays in breaking the cycle of poverty and that it is committed to providing resources to talented students who would otherwise lack the financial means to pursue their academic dreams. “By investing in these bright young minds, we are not only fostering individual growth but also empowering future leaders who will drive positive change in their communities and beyond,” Ibori added.

The scholarship package, Naija247news reports, covers each scholar’s full tuition, accommodation, sundry fees and a living stipend pegged at N800,000 per academic year. The selected scholars are enrolled in diverse programmes at WDU, including computer science, business administration, mass communication, law and environmental science.

Programme coordinator Isioghene Maureen Eyikimi described the scheme as a “launchpad for leadership and service”. “This scholarship is a lifeline and a loud affirmation that where you start in life should never determine how far you can go,” she said, according to Naija247news.

Dignitaries at the ceremony included the university’s vice-chancellor, senior faculty members, community leaders and media representatives. Naija247news gathered that they all welcomed the initiative and emphasised its capacity to boost educational access and social mobility in Delta State.

Looking ahead, the foundation plans to expand its coverage: by 2026, OEF expects to include vocational and technical training tracks in future scholarship cycles. This expansion, Naija247news understands, is part of a broader strategy to equip young people not only for academic success but for meaningful participation in Nigeria’s evolving economy.

Observers say that the OEF’s model, selecting top-performing but financially disadvantaged students and providing a comprehensive support package, is especially timely given Nigeria’s ongoing challenges in equipping youth with the skills and resources to thrive. By choosing to place these scholars in a university environment with full financial support, the foundation is addressing the dual issues of merit and equity.

In Delta State, where access to higher education and socio-economic transformation remain uneven, such interventions are seen as key levers of change. One of the scholars, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Naija247news that “this scholarship changes the game for me and for my family.” The student said that the living stipend, combined with the tuition and accommodation package, meant that they could now concentrate fully on studies without worrying about fees.

Local educational stakeholders, Naija247news reports, are calling for the OEF to scale up quickly and encourage other foundations to follow suit. They highlight that beyond the immediate beneficiary cohort, the ripple effect of empowering just a few talented individuals can extend to entire communities, and therefore warrants sustained investment.

In his closing remarks, Ibori reaffirmed the foundation’s long-term commitment: “Our message today is simple: talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. We intend to change that equation.” With the formal initiation of the first scholars, the Otemu Educational Foundation has taken a significant step towards realising that ambition.

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Reporting by Agnes Ekebuike Editor, Naija247news in Lagos, Nigeria.