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Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) denies owing tuition fees for 5,000 Itsekiri graduates of Novena University.
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Investigation found that the list of purported beneficiaries originated from the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) and lacked PAP approval.
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PAP administration under Dr Dennis Otuaro has expanded scholarship access to ex-agitators and other Niger Delta beneficiaries.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has rejected allegations that it owes tuition fees for 5,000 Itsekiri graduates of Novena University, Ogume, Delta State, stating that the students were never formally included in its scholarship scheme.
In a statement signed by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator of PAP, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the agency described the claims as “totally false, baseless, and an attempt to stand truth on its head.”
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The statement clarified that the affected graduates were part of a list submitted by the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) in 2017, purporting them as PAP scholarship recipients.
The PAP investigation revealed that the list did not originate from the agency and lacked formal authorization.
“Therefore, the affected Itsekiri indigenes could not have been deemed to be beneficiaries of the PAP scholarship scheme,” the statement said.
The inquiry further established that no correspondence existed between PAP and Novena University regarding the purported students.
Officials from both INYC and the university could not produce any documentation validating the claim.
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PAP stated that assuming liability would have encouraged malpractice, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to integrity in administering scholarships.
Under the current leadership of Dr Dennis Otuaro, the PAP has expanded its scholarship programme to provide broader access to higher education for ex-agitators and other Niger Delta beneficiaries.
The agency affirmed its dedication to inclusivity, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the Niger Delta.
