The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has officially started paying ₦50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 young people in the Niger Delta.

This is part of the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme, which helps participants gain hands-on training and valuable skills.

Mrs. Seledi-Thompson-Wakama, the Director of Corporate Affairs at NDDC, shared this news with journalists in Port Harcourt.

She explained that the selected youths will undergo a 12-month internship in different organizations to improve their skills and increase their job opportunities.

The scheme was launched on July 31, 2024, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio announcing the Federal Government’s approval of the monthly stipend for trainees.

Now, NDDC has completed the selection process and started placing trainees in various organizations.

According to Mrs. Thompson-Wakama, the 10,000 beneficiaries were chosen from over 3.2 million applicants in a transparent selection process.

She emphasized that this high number of applicants shows how eager young people in the region are to improve themselves.

The scheme has also helped NDDC collect important data on the qualifications, skills, and employment status of Niger Delta youths.

This information will help the commission design better programs to meet their needs.

To ensure good governance, NDDC has partnered with KPMG, a global consulting firm, to improve its management system.

KPMG has provided a Governance Advisory Report to help NDDC shift from a transaction-based to a transformation-focused approach.

Mrs. Thompson-Wakama praised the youths for their patience and cooperation during the selection process.

She assured them that the NDDC remains committed to supporting young people and creating more opportunities for them in the future.