– DESOPADEC has opened its 2025/2026 bursary application portal for eligible university students from oil-producing communities in Delta State.

– The scheme is open to students from 200 level and above studying in Nigerian and foreign universities.

– The commission warned applicants against submitting incomplete or falsified documents during the verification process.

The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has opened its 2025/2026 bursary application portal for eligible students from oil-producing communities across the state.

The announcement was made on Tuesday at the commission’s headquarters in Warri during a meeting with the leadership of the Confederation of Students of Oil Producing Areas (CSOPA).

Speaking with student representatives, the Executive Director of Social Services, Chief Favour Izoukumor, said the bursary scheme reflected DESOPADEC’s commitment to education, youth empowerment and student welfare.

“This administration places a premium on the education of our youths,” Izoukumor said.

He added that the commission would continue to support initiatives aimed at reducing the financial burden on students and ensuring that deserving youths were not left behind.

According to him, the programme aligns with the educational policies of the Delta State Government and is designed to promote human capital development in oil-producing communities.

Izoukumor said the application portal would open on September 1 and close on September 21.

He clarified that the scheme was strictly for university students in 200 level and above, including those studying in Nigerian and foreign universities.

“The scheme is strictly for university students, both those in Nigeria and abroad. Students in polytechnics, colleges of education and monotechnics are not eligible to apply,” he said.

The DESOPADEC executive director explained that a three-week verification and sorting exercise would commence after the application deadline, while payment to successful applicants was expected to begin by the first week of November.

He urged applicants to carefully follow the application guidelines and upload genuine and clearly readable documents.

“The verification process will be thorough. Students must ensure that all uploaded documents are clear and authentic,” he cautioned.

Izoukumor said applicants who submitted incomplete or falsified documents would be automatically disqualified.

He described the bursary as an investment in the future of Delta State, noting that beneficiaries could become future leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals who would contribute to the development of their communities.

The DESOPADEC official also commended the Delta State Government for its support for the programme and urged student leaders to mobilise eligible students to apply before the deadline.

“I urge you to go back to your various institutions and campuses and spread the word,” he told the student representatives.

He said the opportunity was designed to benefit eligible students and urged as many qualified undergraduates as possible to take advantage of it.

In his remarks, the President of CSOPA, Comrade Johnson Aweh, thanked DESOPADEC for sustaining the bursary scheme.

“This bursary scheme has been a source of hope for many of our members over the years,” Aweh said.

He assured the commission that the student body would mobilise eligible members to register in large numbers.

Izoukumor reiterated that the bursary scheme remained an important part of DESOPADEC’s mandate to invest in education, community development and youth empowerment.

“This is more than a bursary; it is a statement of hope and a commitment to a brighter future for our oil-producing communities,” he said.