Beneficiaries of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) youth empowerment programme have expressed concern over persistent delays in the payment of their monthly stipends.
According to them, the 2025/26 programme launched to support 10,000 youths across the Niger Delta, offers each participant a monthly stipend of ₦50,000 for 12 months alongside vocational training and the promise of startup support upon successful completion.
But they claimed that they have received only six months’ worth of stipends nearly 11 months into the programme despite expectations that payments will be made monthly.
The youth said the irregular payments have created financial difficulties, as many depended on the stipends to meet basic expenses throughout the duration of the programme.
One beneficiary, Efe Oghenerukevwe, said the delays have made it difficult to meet transportation and internet costs required to participate effectively in the programme.
“We joined the programme because we believe it will provide consistent support while the programme is ongoing.
“Sometimes we wait between two to four months before receiving payment. And when the payment eventually comes, not all the owed months are offset.
“It has become difficult to plan our finances as the irregular stipends are making it harder for many of us who depend on this empowerment scheme to survive,” Oghenerukevwe said.
Another beneficiary, Joyce Anthony noted that many beneficiaries are currently owed about five month stipends.
“As far as we know, almost everyone in the empowerment programme is affected. The issue is not just about the money; it is about the uncertainty.
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“Currently, we don’t know when the outstanding payments will be made. We simply want the payments to be regular as it should,” Anthony said.
Cyn Efe, a beneficiary also expressed concern that the delays may affect confidence in the commission’s commitment to provide the promised startup support at the end of the empowerment programme.
“When monthly stipends are delayed repeatedly, naturally people begin to wonder whether every aspect of the programme will be implemented as promised.
“However, we still believe the programme can succeed if the commission addresses these issues and communicates properly with the beneficiaries,” she said.
Rukwewe Oghenemene said the programme gave many people hope, adding that many youths who are not employed today is not because they lack education. No. The truth is that there is virtually no job anywhere.
As of the time of filing this report, the NDDC has not issued an official statement as all efforts made to reach the management proved abortive.
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