July 15, 2025 – The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has publicly denied claims circulating in the media that it failed to pay trainees who reportedly participated in a skill acquisition programme allegedly held in Bayelsa and Rivers states.
Meanwhile, the Commission has not commented on the Youth Internship Scheme for 10,000 Niger Delta youths training with N50,000 stipend.
The viral skill training programme, which was said to have been organised by a religious group known as Victorious Prayer Network, allegedly involved over 2,000 trainees.
According to the organisers, the NDDC had promised to sponsor participants and provide starter packs, a promise they now accuse the Commission of not fulfilling.
In an official statement signed by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director of Corporate Affairs, and released today July 15, 2025, the Commission stated: “We wish to clarify that the NDDC approved no such training programme, and whatever training was organised under suspicious circumstances did not have the blessings and approval of the Commission.”
The statement further stressed, “The individuals behind these allegations against the NDDC were never engaged by the Commission to carry out skills training.”
Thompson-Wakama reaffirmed that the NDDC has no connection to the alleged programme, adding, “Our programmes are usually well-advertised and open to scrutiny. We recently launched a comprehensive technical skills acquisition programme to equip participants with practical, in-demand skills in Port Harcourt.”
Cautioning the public, especially the youth, the Commission advised: “Members of the public, especially our youths, are advised to be cautious and circumspect in dealing with some questionable persons claiming to be acting on behalf of the NDDC.”
The NDDC expressed concern over the attempt by “mischievous individuals” to exploit young people. “It is disturbing that some mischievous individuals are trying to take advantage of our youths who are genuinely eager to be gainfully engaged in legitimate activities,” the statement read.
Emphasizing its ongoing commitment to accountability, the Commission noted: “We assure all our stakeholders that we remain committed to transparency and fairness in all our activities, including our youth empowerment and skill acquisition programmes.”
The Commission encouraged the public to confirm all information regarding its programmes via official communication channels and its website at www.nddc.gov.ng where updates on youth training, entrepreneurship development, and capacity building are regularly shared.