Delta Youths Petitions National Assembly Over Alleged Fraud In NDDC internship Programme

The Anioma Youth Forum Worldwide has petitioned the Senate and the House of Representatives over alleged irregularities in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Youth Internship Programme, calling for a comprehensive investigation into its implementation between August 2024 and July 2025.

The group urged the National Assembly Committees on NDDC to launch an independent forensic audit of the programme, covering its design, implementation, financial disbursements and beneficiary lists.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday and signed by its National President, Nnamdi Ofonye; Deputy National President, Sadik Enemosa; National Secretary, Kabadi Kabadi; and 15 other members, the forum said there were “credible reports and widespread public concern” over alleged fraud and irregularities in the scheme.

According to the group, the programme, which was introduced to empower youths in the Niger Delta and build capacity, has been dogged by allegations of systemic abuse since its rollout in August 2024.

It alleged that many of the purported 10,000 beneficiaries did not receive the approved monthly stipend of ₦50,000, while there was little or no documentation, including attendance registers, biometric verification or work records, to support claims that beneficiaries participated in the programme.

The forum further alleged that only a fraction of beneficiaries received payments, and that those payments covered only a few months despite the programme being designed to run for one year.

The group argued that the allegations, if left unaddressed, could expose public funds to further abuse, erode public confidence in government institutions and fuel discontent among youths across the Niger Delta.

It said prompt intervention by the National Assembly was necessary to restore public confidence, prevent future abuses and ensure that the programme benefits reached the intended recipients.

The forum also urged the National Assembly committees to place on administrative leave any NDDC officials whose names are credibly linked to the alleged irregularities pending the outcome of the investigation.

It further called on lawmakers to direct the NDDC to publish within 14 days the full list of beneficiaries, payment records, the names of beneficiaries across the nine Niger Delta states, their ethnic nationalities, and provide a clear timetable for the investigation, with periodic public updates on its progress.

In addition, the group urged the National Assembly to conduct public hearings to allow whistleblowers, beneficiaries and relevant officials to testify under oath, while ensuring adequate protection for whistleblowers against victimisation.

It also called for the recovery of any misappropriated funds and the prosecution of anyone found culpable by the appropriate anti-corruption agencies if the investigation establishes evidence of fraud.