The Anioma Youth Forum Worldwide, AYF-W, has petitioned the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, calling for an immediate investigation into alleged fraud and irregularities in the NDDC Youth Internship Programme 2024/2025.
In the petition dated July 16, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, the group alleged that the internship programme, which reportedly ran from August 2024 to July 2025, was plagued by widespread irregularities that deprived many intended beneficiaries of the programme’s benefits.
AYF-W alleged that a majority of the supposed 10,000 beneficiaries did not receive the earmarked ₦50,000 monthly stipend, while others were paid for only a few months despite the programme being designed to last one year. The group also claimed there was inadequate documentation, including attendance registers, biometric verification and work outputs, to substantiate participants’ engagement.
The organisation further alleged that payments were made to only a handful of beneficiaries, contrary to the programme’s stated target of 10,000 youths across the Niger Delta.
The forum urged the Senate and the House of Representatives Committees on NDDC to order an independent forensic audit of the programme, covering its design, implementation, financial disbursements and beneficiary lists. It also requested the suspension of any NDDC officials found to be credibly linked to the alleged irregularities pending the outcome of the investigation.
Among other demands, the group asked the National Assembly to direct the NDDC to publish, within 14 days, the complete list of beneficiaries, payment records and the identities of beneficiaries across the nine Niger Delta states. It also called for public hearings to allow whistleblowers and beneficiaries to testify under oath, with adequate protection for witnesses.
The petition further requested that any funds found to have been misappropriated be recovered and that individuals implicated by the investigation be referred to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies for prosecution. It also sought a clear timetable for the investigation and periodic public updates on its progress.
According to the group, failure to investigate the allegations could further erode public trust in government institutions and undermine the objective of the youth empowerment initiative.
The petition was signed by the National President of the Anioma Youth Forum Worldwide, Comrade Nnamdi Okwufulueze Ofonye, alongside several national officers and coordinators of the organisation.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Niger Delta Development Commission nor the Senate Committee on NDDC had publicly responded to the allegations contained in the petition.
See Petition Below:
ANIOMA YOUTH FORUM WORLDWIDE (AYF-W)
Motto: Our People, Our Priority
Headquarters:
No. 2 Falcon Club Junction,
DLA Road, Asaba;
Delta State.
For Enquiries:
07037438060
08032662025
09069234834
The Chairman
Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
National Assembly Complex
Abuja
Date: 16th July, 2026.
SUBJECT: PETITION FOR IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED FRAUD IN THE NDDC YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME 2024/25
Dear Sir,
We, on behalf of other concerned members of the Anioma Youth Forum Worldwide, write to draw your urgent attention to credible reports and widespread public concern regarding suspected irregularities and fraud in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Youth Internship Programme that purportedly ran between August 2024 through July 2025.
BACKGROUND AND CONCERNS
From the rollout of the programme in August 2024, numerous allegations trailed the programme suggesting systemic deceit and possible abuse, including but not limited to:
- Non-payment of the earmarked ₦50,000 to a majority of the supposed 10,000 beneficiaries.
- Inadequate or absent documentation (attendance registers, biometric verification, work outputs) to substantiate claimed engagements.
- Staggered payment of only a few months from the earmarked one-year duration.
- Discriminate payment to only a handful from the earmarked 10,000 youths.
Requests and Relief Sought
In light of the foregoing, we respectfully petition the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on NDDC to take the following actions without delay:
- Launch an immediate, independent and forensically sound investigation and audit of the NDDC Youth Internship Programme covering the programme’s design, implementation, financial disbursements and beneficiary lists.
- Order the suspension from duty (on administrative leave) of any NDDC officials whose names are credibly linked to the alleged irregularities pending the outcome of the investigation.
- Require the NDDC to publish, within 14 days, full disclosure of the programme’s beneficiary lists, payment records, full names of beneficiaries across the nine states of the Niger Delta and their ethnic nationalities.
- Facilitate public hearings where whistleblowers, beneficiaries and relevant officials may give evidence under oath, with appropriate protection for whistleblowers from victimization.
- If the investigation substantiates fraud, direct prompt recovery of misappropriated funds and refer culpable individuals for prosecution to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies.
- Provide a clear timetable for the investigation and periodic updates to the public on progress and outcomes.
WHY ACTION IS NECESSARY
The NDDC Youth Internship Programme was designed to empower Niger Delta youths and build capacity. If the allegations are allowed to stand unchallenged, public funds will continue to be at risk, and trust in public institutions will further erode, thereby creating disaffection and threatening the existing peace within the youths across the region. Prompt Senate intervention is required to restore confidence, deter future abuses and ensure that benefits reach intended recipients.
We request acknowledgement of receipt of this petition and a response outlining intended next steps within 14 days.
We hereby assure you of our highest esteemed regards.
Signed on behalf of the Anioma Youth Forum Worldwide:
- Comrade Nnamdi Okwufulueze Ofonye – National President
- Comr. Sadik Nwachukwu Enemosa – Deputy National President
- Comr. Kabadi J. Kabadi – National Secretary
- Comr. Ekwukwo Elvis – National Publicity Secretary
- Chief Osita Olunwa – National Director of Welfare
- Dikeogwu Opone – National Financial Secretary
- Micah Onwumah – Director, Youth Mobilisation
- Uche Okonji – Assistant National Secretary
- Chris Peter Agboma – Deputy Director, Youth Mobilisation
- Louis Ojougboh – Director, Contact & Engagement
- Ajuah Ada Callister – Deputy Welfare Secretary
- Chijioke Isiekwene – Coordinator, FCT, Abuja
- Chief Prince Olise – Coordinator, Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency
- Sindi Mathias Chigozie – Director, Student Affairs & Mobilisation
- Isioma Richard Mokwunye – Deputy Director, Student Affairs
- Utulu Augustine – Coordinator, Aniocha South LGA
- Prince Emeke Okolie – Coordinator, Aniocha North North
- Chief Ossai Chris Olise – Coordinator, Ndokwa East LGA
- Charles Njuwe – Coordinator, Ukwuani LGA
- Prince Kelly Esoyaya – Coordinator, Oshimili South LGA
- Frank Yereyere – Coordinator, Ndokwa West LGA
CC:
House of Representatives Committee on NDDC.
