Nigerian students sponsored abroad in 2018 for further studies by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have on Monday held a fresh protest over the non-release of funds for their scholarship for two years.
This comes weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari in August, directed NDDC to pay the tuition fees of its scholars, after students converged at the Nigerian high commission in London to express displeasure over “negligence of their welfare”.
Read Also: NDDC Scholarship Beneficiaries Protest In London Over Non-Payment Of Tuition Fees (photos)
Following the directive, NDDC after about three weeks delay in August paid N5.9 million to 197 students in its scholarship scheme, leaving 94 scholars.
Read Also: NDDC Pays $5.9m To 197 Scholarship Students
The remaining scholars are now protesting non-payment since August, displaying placards with various inscriptions as they gathered in front of the Nigeria High Commission in London, United Kingdom on Monday.
The aggrieved students lamented that the non-payment of their fees have exposed them to numerous dangers including the COVID-19 virus as some of them have to work in care homes to raise funds.
One of the scholars, identified as Femi told Channels TV;
We are here to protest the non-payment of our school fees and allowance for the past two years. We have carried out a series of protests at this embassy but unfortunately, there was no positive response from the NDDC.
They said our payment will be made by October 12th after the verification exercise has been concluded. From then till now, our tuition fees and upkeep have not been paid. They keep promising us on a weekly basis. We are tired of all these fake promises.
The scholars lamented that due to the nonpayment of their fees, adding that they are struggling financially as depend on menial jobs for funding.
They appealed that the Federal Government use presidential authority to demand that the NDDC pay 2018 NDDC scholarship students as soon as possible, declaring that the protest will continue till next week.
