By Ayomide Otitoju
The NNPC/Heirs Energies Joint Venture, through the OML 17 Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), has unveiled the OML 17 University Scholarship Programme (USP), aimed at supporting 300 qualified first-year students from its host communities.
According to a statement released on Monday, the initiative is part of the HCDT’s broader mission to promote human capital development and inclusive growth, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. Beneficiaries must be enrolled in federal or state universities across Nigeria.
Applications for the scholarship will open on July 21, 2025. The selection process includes an online assessment and screening, with final awardees to be announced in September 2025 to align with the new academic calendar.
Chairman of the OML 17 HCDT Board of Trustees, His Royal Majesty Dr. Samuel Amaechi, described the programme as a pivotal step in uplifting youth from host communities.
“The launch of the OML 17 USP marks a new chapter in our efforts to uplift the youth. This merit-based scholarship offers more than funding—it provides a pathway to a better future,” he said.
CEO of Heirs Energies, Osa Igiehon, added: “Education is the foundation of progress. By empowering our youth, we are strengthening communities and fostering shared prosperity.”
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply via heirsenergies.com/scholarships, where full eligibility requirements and instructions will be published. Information will also be distributed through local notice boards and community networks.
OML 17 HCDT is the largest trust in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, covering 73 communities. It champions transparency, inclusive development, and long-term impact.
