DESOPADEC Set to Commence 2026 Bursary For Students in Mandate Areas

The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) says preparations are in top gear for the commencement of its 2026 bursary programme, with the online application portal expected to open between August and September for eligible students from oil-producing communities.

The assurance was given by the Commission’s Executive Director of Social Services, Chief Favour Izoukumor, during a courtesy visit by the executive members of the Confederation of Delta State Oil Producing Ethnic Nationalities Students’ Union at the DESOPADEC headquarters in Warri.

Izoukumor disclosed that the DESOPADEC Board had already approved the implementation of the 2026 bursary scheme and that the state government had also given its approval for the exercise to proceed.

According to him, the Commission is finalising arrangements to launch the online application portal, which will allow qualified students to submit their applications electronically.

He explained that lessons from previous exercises had been taken into account, noting that concerns raised by beneficiaries had been addressed ahead of the new application cycle.

Izoukumor clarified that the bursary is strictly for undergraduate students enrolled in degree programmes at recognised higher institutions, adding that technical issues, including network-related payment delays experienced during the last exercise, had been resolved.

He also stated that all qualified applicants who successfully completed the process during the previous exercise eventually received their bursary payments, assuring students that additional measures have been put in place to ensure a smoother and faster payment process this year.

The DESOPADEC official added that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori remains committed to improving the welfare of students from the Commission’s mandate areas.

Speaking on behalf of the student body, the President of the Confederation of Delta State Oil Producing Ethnic Nationalities Students’ Union, Comrade Aweh N. Johnson, commended Izoukumor for consistently presenting students’ concerns before the DESOPADEC Board and the Delta State Government.

He, however, appealed to the Commission to increase the number of bursary beneficiaries across the various ethnic nationalities, explaining that some eligible students who were not captured in previous exercises were seeking inclusion.

Johnson also expressed appreciation to DESOPADEC and the Delta State Government for sustaining the bursary programme, describing it as a valuable intervention for indigent students in oil-producing communities.