The DESOPADEC’s bursary program is designed to support students from oil-producing areas in tertiary institutions across Nigeria and beyond. Recognizing the financial difficulties many students experience, the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has positioned this bursary as more than mere financial aid; it is an investment in human capital, community growth, and future leadership.
This program aims to strengthen human capital and advance education in oil-producing communities. It focuses on cultivating a skilled workforce that will lead Delta into the future. The bursary scheme is intended to encourage higher enrollment in tertiary institutions, reduce dropout rates among underserved students, and enable students to focus on their studies without the burden of financial stress.
In 2025, DESOPADEC has announced plans to disburse bursary funds to students across all its ethnic nationalities. The Managing Director, Chief Festus Ochonogor, confirmed that measures are being implemented to ensure a smooth and transparent disbursement process. These measures include the establishment of a dedicated website and engagement with stakeholders to facilitate the enrollment process for the sixth batch of the DESOPADEC Skills Academy, following the success of the previous batch .?
The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) was established in 2007 under the administration of former Governor Chief James Onanefe Ibori through an enabling law. This was in response to agitations by oil-producing communities in Delta State seeking equitable development and compensation for the environmental and socio-economic impacts of oil exploration.