Anioma Youth Forum Petitions Senate, Demands Probe of Alleged Fraud in NDDC Youth Internship Programme

The Anioma Youth Forum Worldwide (AYF-W) has petitioned the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), seeking an immediate investigation into alleged irregularities and possible financial misconduct in the commission’s Youth Internship Programme said to have run from August 2024 to July 2025.

In the petition dated July 16, 2026 and addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, the group said it was acting on behalf of concerned members and other stakeholders who had raised questions over the implementation and financial management of the programme.

The forum alleged that the scheme, which was reportedly designed to benefit about 10,000 young people across the Niger Delta region, was marred by concerns over payments, documentation and the verification of beneficiaries.

The group, however, did not provide documentary evidence in the petition to independently substantiate the allegations but urged the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive investigation and audit to establish the facts.

Among the concerns raised by the AYF-W was an alleged failure to pay the earmarked ₦50,000 stipend to a large number of the purported beneficiaries.

The group also questioned the availability of adequate records to substantiate the participation of beneficiaries, alleging that documents such as attendance registers, biometric verification records and evidence of work outputs were either inadequate or unavailable.

It further alleged that payments under the programme were made in a staggered manner and that some beneficiaries allegedly received stipends for only a limited number of months, despite the programme reportedly being designed to run for one year.

The forum also raised concerns about what it described as discriminatory or selective payments to only a portion of the approximately 10,000 beneficiaries reportedly targeted by the scheme.

Against this backdrop, the AYF-W called on the Senate and House of Representatives committees overseeing the NDDC to launch an immediate and independent investigation into the programme.

The group specifically requested a forensic audit covering the design, implementation, financial disbursements and beneficiary records associated with the internship scheme.

It also urged the lawmakers to consider placing any NDDC officials credibly linked to alleged irregularities on administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation, while stressing that such action should be based on the outcome of due process.

Another major demand contained in the petition was for the NDDC to publicly disclose detailed records relating to the programme.

The group asked that the commission publish, within 14 days, the full list of beneficiaries, payment records and details of beneficiaries across the nine states of the Niger Delta, including the ethnic nationalities requested in the petition.

The forum further called for public hearings at which beneficiaries, whistleblowers and relevant officials could provide evidence under oath.

It also appealed for appropriate protection for whistleblowers who may come forward with information relevant to the investigation, warning against possible victimisation of individuals who assist efforts to establish the facts.

The AYF-W said that if the allegations were eventually substantiated, authorities should ensure the recovery of any funds found to have been misappropriated and refer individuals found culpable to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for prosecution.

The group also called for a clear timetable for the investigation, as well as periodic public updates on its progress and eventual findings.

It warned that failure to properly investigate the allegations could undermine public confidence in government institutions and expose public funds to further abuse.

According to the group, unresolved concerns over the management of youth empowerment programmes could also deepen frustration among young people in the Niger Delta and potentially affect the fragile peace and stability of the region.

The petition comes amid continuing scrutiny of public spending and intervention programmes targeted at young people in the Niger Delta, where the NDDC has a mandate to promote sustainable development and address socio-economic challenges confronting communities in the region.

As of the time of filing this report, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the petition.