The federal government has revealed that more than 220 Nigerians are currently pursuing various academic programmes in the United Kingdom under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), while over 8,000 beneficiaries continue their studies across Nigeria.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a meeting with PAP beneficiaries in the UK.
The session was held on the sidelines of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Britain at the invitation of King Charles III. Also present was the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri.
In a statement on Wednesday, Idris expressed satisfaction with the programme’s impact nearly two decades after its inception.
“It is very heartwarming to witness the impact of the programme first-hand and interact with beneficiaries,” he said.
Established in 2009 by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the PAP was designed to tackle militancy in the Niger Delta through disarmament, rehabilitation, and reintegration of former agitators.
Over time, it has expanded to include formal education, vocational training, and empowerment initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable peace and development in the oil-rich region.
Idris said the Tinubu administration remains committed to creating opportunities for Nigerian youths.
“The President’s desire is to ensure that all Nigerians, especially the youth, are given the right opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he added.
He further noted that conditions in the Niger Delta have improved significantly, attributing the progress to sustained government interventions, including the PAP. Quoting Dennis Otuaro, the programme administrator, Idris said:
“There are over 8,000 students studying in Nigeria at the moment, and over 220 undergoing various studies in the UK. The programme is one of the best implemented in the country, and we will continue to strengthen and reposition it.”
The Presidential Amnesty Programme continues to be hailed as a model for peacebuilding and youth empowerment in the Niger Delta.
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