By John Alechenu
ABUJA — The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing the human capital deficit in the Niger Delta through sustained investment in education.
Otuaro stated this on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), United Kingdom, in Abuja.
The ARU delegation was led by its Regional Director for Africa, Dr Nana Adom, alongside the Senior Admissions Manager, Eve Flower, and the Nigeria Country Manager, Linda Ayodele.
According to Otuaro, President Tinubu remains steadfast in his support for the Presidential Amnesty Programme and believes education is a key driver of youth development and regional transformation.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is unwaveringly committed to supporting the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
“He believes strongly that education is one of the best things for our youths in the Niger Delta. He is irrevocably committed to bridging the human capital gap. The value of this investment will be great,” Otuaro said.
He disclosed that about 9,000 beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme are currently studying in institutions across Nigeria, while 273 are enrolled in universities in the United Kingdom.
According to him, Anglia Ruskin University currently has 69 PAP alumni and 28 scholarship beneficiaries, with 36 students recently admitted to the institution.
He said two of the students are expected to graduate in September 2026, four in January 2027 and 18 in May 2027.
Otuaro also revealed that the programme recently produced more than 50 first-class graduates and 40 graduates with second-class upper degrees, describing the achievement as evidence of the programme’s positive impact on human capital development in the region.
Speaking on behalf of the university, Dr Adom said the visit was aimed at strengthening the partnership between Anglia Ruskin University and the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
He described the university’s feedback on PAP-sponsored scholars as “tremendous,” expressing satisfaction with their academic performance and conduct.
