- The NDDC Director, Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Oritsejolomi (right), presents a laptop to Biochemistry student Mr Anigbo Gideon Chimaobi (middle) during the sensitisation programme at the Abia State University auditorium, Uturu. On the left is the Foundation Convener, Mr Samuel Nzidee
By Emmanuel Thomas l Friday, Sept 18, 2026
UTURU — In a strategic move to tackle voter apathy and deepen democratic culture across the oil-producing region, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has launched a massive voter education campaign targeting tertiary institutions.
Speaking at a sensitisation workshop tagged “Project New Nigeria and Voter Education,” held at the main auditorium of the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, underscored the critical role of the youth demographic in shaping Nigeria’s democratic trajectory.
Represented at the event by the Director of Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Oritsejolomi, Ogbuku noted that despite making up a substantial portion of the population in university towns, millions of young Nigerians remain historically disengaged from electoral activities. He stressed that equipping students with civic literacy is essential for fostering responsible leadership and bad governance accountability ahead of upcoming general elections.
“The university community is a strategic starting point for our civic engagement campaigns because of its vibrant youth population,” Ogbuku declared. “We are urging all eligible students to take this opportunity seriously—register, collect your Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and make informed choices at the ballot box.”
He added that the campaign is rolling across higher institutions in the Niger Delta, including the Rivers State University, to ensure regional coverage and sustained participati on.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of ABSU, Professor Ndukwe Okeudo, represented by the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Dick Uduma, commended the intervention, noting that democratic stability relies heavily on an informed electorate. He praised the commission for blending civic awareness with direct student welfare initiatives, urging beneficiaries to maintain high ethical standards.
Elaborating on the initiative’s broader objective, Mr. Samuel Nzidee, Convener of the Foundation for Citizens Empowerment and Sensitisation on Civic Responsibility Initiative, highlighted that “Project New Nigeria” was birthed by young activists to give students a direct voice in national governance.
”Students possess tremendous collective power at the polls,” Nzidee noted. “It is time young Nigerians leverage their numbers to demand better conditions—affordable education, quality campus accommodation, and mutual respect between lecturers and students.”
To incentivize participation and alleviate economic pressures on families, Nzidee announced that tuition fees would be fully paid for 200 returning ABSU students, while dozens of others will receive laptops, tablets, and learning tools.
The latest initiative by the NDDC reflects an evolving shift in the commission’s operational strategy under Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s leadership. Historically focused on physical infrastructure—such as roads, bridges, and regional electrification projects—the NDDC has increasingly prioritized human capital development, youth empowerment, and social intervention schemes.
Youth voter apathy has remained a persistent challenge in Nigerian elections. Data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows that while youth aged 18 to 34 constitute over 70 percent of newly registered voters in recent cycles, actual polling unit turnout among students remains dismally low due to logistical constraints, security anxieties, and political disillusionment.
By coupling civic education with tangible educational relief—such as full tuition waivers and digital learning equipment—the NDDC aims to build trust, boost PVC collection rates, and position university students as active stakeholders in national development rather than passive observers.
