Presidential Amnesty Programme Reaffirms Scholarship Is Free, Warns Against Fraudulent Payments
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has reaffirmed that its scholarship scheme remains absolutely free of charge, warning the public against fraudulent individuals demanding money under the guise of facilitating admissions.
PulseNets learnt that the clarification followed a series of complaints from parents and guardians who claimed they were being extorted by individuals posing as PAP representatives.
In a statement obtained by PulseNets, Mr. Igoniko Oduma, the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, emphasised that the Presidential Amnesty Programme does not request or accept any form of payment during its scholarship application or placement process.
According to the statement,
“The PAP wishes to alert members of the public, especially Niger Deltans, that the application process for both undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships is completely free. At no point should applicants, parents, or guardians pay anyone to secure admission under the PAP scheme.”
The PAP maintained that it neither encourages nor permits any form of financial inducement in exchange for scholarship placements or related services.
PulseNets reported that the warning came amid growing concerns that some unscrupulous individuals and fraudulent stakeholders have been collecting money from unsuspecting families, promising fake admissions into tertiary institutions.
“We have received disturbing complaints that certain persons are defrauding parents and guardians with false assurances of admission through the PAP,” the statement continued.
“Let it be known that if anyone pays money to such persons, they do so entirely at their own risk.”
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The PAP management, under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership, also vowed to take “drastic disciplinary measures” against anyone found to be involved in such criminal activity, stressing that the agency remains committed to transparency and accountability in all its operations.
“The current leadership will not hesitate to sanction anyone caught perpetrating this nefarious act,” the statement added.
