Good news for students in Nigeria’s oil-producing areas! The NNPC/Heirs Energies Joint Venture has kicked off a brand-new scholarship programme aimed at giving 300 first-year university students a chance to chase their dreams.

The OML 17 University Scholarship Programme (USP) is open to students from communities around the OML 17 oil block, and it’s all about supporting education, promoting human capital, and creating lasting impact.

The scholarship is for those already admitted into public universities, and applications officially open July 21, 2025. After that, shortlisted students will go through online tests and screening, with the final 300 beneficiaries announced in September.

“This isn’t just a scholarship, it’s a lifeline for the youth,” said HRM Dr. Samuel Amaechi, Chairman of the OML 17 Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT). “It’s merit-based, transparent, and aimed at the students who need it most.”

The programme is part of the larger development trust created under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which is meant to give host communities a bigger stake in Nigeria’s oil and gas success.

Heirs Energies CEO, Osa Igiehon, added:

“Education is the foundation of progress. When we invest in young people, we invest in stronger, more resilient communities.”

The trust covers 73 host communities, and the scholarship is one of several long-term efforts to uplift lives through education, opportunity, and transparency.

Students from the eligible areas can apply through a special portal (details to be shared on flyers, notice boards, and local info centers).

This initiative is a major step toward shared prosperity, giving young people from oil-rich regions the tools they need to build a brighter future.