Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a move to deepen investment in education and youth empowerment, the NNPC/Heirs Energies Joint Venture has unveiled a university scholarship programme for 300 students from its OML 17 host communities.
The initiative, launched through the OML 17 Host Communities Development Trust, HCDT, will provide full financial and educational support to qualified first-year students enrolled in government-owned universities across Nigeria.
Applications for the OML 17 University Scholarship Programme, USP, open today, July 21, 2025, with beneficiaries to be announced in September 2025, coinciding with the new academic session.
A statement by the company urged eligible candidates from the 73 OML 17 host communities to apply online via heirsenergies.com/scholarships, as application details, eligibility criteria, and screening procedures will be made available through the website, local notice boards, flyers, and grassroots information channels.
Commenting on the development H.R.M. Dr. Samuel Amaechi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of OML17 HCDT, said, “This is not just a scholarship; it is a pathway to a better future,” We are proud to roll out a transparent, merit-based scheme that will provide real access to education for those who need it most.”
The USP forms part of the Trust’s broader commitment to sustainable development through education and human capital investment, in alignment with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
Also speaking, Osa Igiehon, CEO of Heirs Energies Limited, said: “Education is the foundation of progress. By empowering young people with access to learning, we are building stronger, more resilient communities. At Heirs Energies, we believe that shared prosperity begins with shared opportunity.”
The OML17 HCDT is the largest Host Communities Development Trust in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, established in line with the PIA to promote transparency, inclusiveness, and long-term socio-economic impact in oil-producing communities.
