The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has disclosed that approximately 8,000 Nigerians are currently pursuing education within the country, while 220 others are enrolled in academic programmes in the United Kingdom under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
Idris made the disclosure on Wednesday via his X account, following a meeting with beneficiaries of the scheme in the UK. The meeting was held on the sidelines of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Britain at the invitation of King Charles III. Also in attendance was the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri.
Established in 2009 by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, PAP was initially designed to address militancy in the Niger Delta through disarmament and rehabilitation of former agitators. Over the years, the programme has expanded to include skills training, education, and empowerment projects aimed at fostering peace and development in the oil-rich region.
Reflecting on his engagement with beneficiaries, Idris expressed satisfaction with the programme’s impact nearly two decades after its inception. “It is very heartwarming to witness the impact of the programme first-hand and interact with beneficiaries,” he said.
The minister added that the current administration remains committed to expanding opportunities for young Nigerians. “The President’s desire is to ensure that all Nigerians, including and especially the youth, are given the right opportunity to thrive and to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country,” he said.
Idris highlighted improvements in the Niger Delta, noting that the region—once characterised by “deprivation, degradation and disorder”—has seen positive change through interventions such as PAP.
Providing further details, Idris stated, “The Programme Administrator/Coordinator, Dennis Otuaro, informed me that there are over 8,000 students studying in Nigeria at the moment, and over 220 undergoing various studies in the UK.”
He described PAP as “one of the best programmes” implemented in the country and affirmed that the Tinubu administration would continue efforts to strengthen and reposition it for maximum impact.
