President Tinubu Approves N50,000 Monthly Stipend for Niger Delta Youths Amid Economic Challenges

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In a significant move to alleviate economic hardship in the Niger Delta, President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned a monthly stipend of N50,000 for 10,000 youths in the region. This initiative, part of the NDDC Youth Intensive Scheme, will initially run for 12 months with a potential for extension.


Senate President Godswill Akpabio made this announcement at the Niger Delta Sensitisation Conference in Port Harcourt. He highlighted that this scheme aims to address the economic difficulties faced by the region, urging residents to refrain from participating in the planned national protest on August 1.


The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is set to implement the stipend scheme immediately. Akpabio emphasized the urgency of addressing the severe impacts of oil and gas activities in the region and acknowledged President Tinubu’s commitment to resolving these challenges. 

In addition to the stipend program, President Tinubu has approved the commencement of the Lagos to Calabar coastal highway project from both states. This infrastructure project is expected to generate thousands of jobs for the youth in the region.


Akpabio dismissed the planned national protest, describing it as a ploy by anonymous entities to incite chaos. He stressed that the protest's agenda did not align with the interests of the Niger Delta and warned against the potential anarchy it could bring.


The Senate president assured that significant funds were being allocated to critical projects to meet the needs of the Niger Delta people. He called for patience, asserting that the government's policies and programs needed time to yield results.


Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu urged the youth to support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and emphasized the need to implement resolutions from the recent Niger Delta Summit to accelerate development in the region. He appealed to the youths to avoid protesting and instead focus on the administration’s progress.


Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, cautioned that the protest could further harm the nation’s economy. He attributed the current economic challenges to necessary reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the naira, which he argued were essential to prevent Nigeria’s economic collapse.


NDDC Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku noted that President Tinubu inherited a struggling economy and has since initiated programs aimed at economic recovery. He pointed out that the Niger Delta is beginning to see the benefits of these efforts, particularly in response to long-standing demands for development.


By addressing these pressing issues and implementing targeted initiatives, the federal government seeks to foster economic stability and development in the Niger Delta, ensuring a brighter future for its youth.

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