By OLA MODUPE, Lagos –
NNPC/Heirs Energies Joint Venture has introduced the OML 17 University Scholarship Programme (USP) to foster educational growth in its host communities.
The program is managed by the OML 17 Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT).
In a statement released on Sunday in Lagos, Osa Igiehon, CEO of Heirs Energies Limited, emphasized the company’s dedication to nurturing the potential of its host communities through education. The scholarship will support 300 first-year students from OML 17 communities enrolled in Nigerian public universities, regardless of their academic discipline.
Igiehon noted that the initiative aligns with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Trust’s goal of promoting sustainable development through education and capacity building. Applications for the scholarship will open on July 21, 2025, followed by an online assessment and selection process. The 300 recipients will be announced in September 2025, marking the start of the academic year.
“Education drives progress,” Igiehon stated. “By providing access to learning, we are fostering stronger, more resilient communities and creating shared opportunities for growth.”
Eligible students from OML 17 host communities can apply through the official portal at heirsenergies.com/scholarships. Detailed eligibility requirements and application guidelines will be accessible online, as well as through community notice boards and local outreach efforts.
The OML 17 HCDT, established under the PIA 2021 by the NNPC/Heirs Energies JV, focuses on sustainable development and economic empowerment across 73 host communities. Igiehon highlighted that this scholarship program is the largest of its kind in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, reflecting a commitment to transparency and lasting impact.
His Royal Majesty Dr. Samuel Amaechi, Chairman of the OML 17 HCDT Board of Trustees, described the initiative as a significant milestone.
“The OML 17 USP is a game-changer for our youth, offering a fair and merit-based pathway to education and a brighter future,” he said.
