The Niger Delta Development Commission has officially opened applications for its Foreign Master’s Postgraduate Scholarship Programme for the 2026/2027 academic session. The announcement was made via a flyer on the Commission’s X handle on Monday.

According to the announcement, applications open on March 23, 2026, and close on April 19, 2026. The programme aims to equip young Nigerians from the Niger Delta region with advanced training and skills to participate effectively in local content initiatives and compete internationally in their respective fields.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

  • Applicants must hold a first-class or second-class upper division degree.
  • Candidates must be below 40 years of age.
  • Applications must be submitted online via the NDDC website: www.nddc.gov.ng.

Required documents include:

  1. Recent passport photograph
  2. Local Government Identification letter
  3. Postgraduate admission letter from a recognised overseas university
  4. Relevant degree certificates
  5. NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate

After submission, applicants will receive a registration number and are advised to print the acknowledgment slip for future reference.

Selection Process

The selection process will be conducted in multiple stages:

  1. Preliminary shortlisting based on WASSCE/NECO results, undergraduate degree classification, and Local Government identification.
  2. Computer-Based Test (CBT) in Rivers State for shortlisted candidates, with a minimum score of 70% required to progress.
  3. Further shortlisting and final verification through candidates’ Local Government Areas and Community Development Committees.

Scholarship Details

  • The scholarship is fully funded at foreign universities, with awards calculated using the prevailing Naira exchange rate.
  • Priority will be given to candidates from oil-producing Niger Delta states, including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
  • No changes in institution or course deferment will be allowed.

The NDDC stressed that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the CBT or subsequent interviews. The Commission retains full discretion over final selections.

This programme represents a major opportunity for young professionals from the Niger Delta to gain international exposure and advanced qualifications, supporting both regional development and national competitiveness.