NDDC alerts Nigerians on fake scholarship emails demanding money—warns public to avoid fraud and stay vigilant.
Date: May 5, 2025
Author: Agency Report
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a strong advisory to the general public, particularly aspiring postgraduate students, regarding the activities of fraudsters peddling fake scholarship offers under the commission’s name. This warning comes amid growing reports of unsuspecting Nigerians falling victim to elaborate scams requesting money in exchange for non-existent scholarship placements.
In a statement released from its headquarters in Port Harcourt on Sunday, May 4th, 2025, the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Seledi Thompson-Wakama, disclosed that cybercriminals have been circulating deceptive emails and messages to applicants of the NDDC Postgraduate Foreign Scholarship Programme. These messages impersonate the NDDC and direct recipients to participate in fake documentation and verification exercises.
“The attention of the NDDC has been drawn to fraudulent emails and messages sent to applicants of the commission’s Postgraduate Foreign Scholarship Programme,” the statement reads. “These messages falsely invite recipients to a fictitious document verification and authentication exercise.”
Fake Venues, Fake Promises
The fraudulent messages, allegedly sent from a rogue email address (nddcregistry@gmail.com), claim to be from the ‘Board Registry’ of the NDDC. Victims are invited to attend a bogus verification exercise scheduled for May 19 to May 21, 2025, at a location on Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to the Commission, this venue has no affiliation whatsoever with its official operations. The event is a total fabrication designed to extort money from well-meaning Nigerians seeking educational opportunities abroad.
Mrs. Thompson-Wakama stressed that the NDDC conducts all legitimate correspondence regarding its scholarship programmes strictly through its verified online platform: www.scholarship.nddc.gov.ng.
Red Flags and Rising Concerns
The agency is deeply concerned that the increasing sophistication of such scams could lead more vulnerable individuals to part with their hard-earned money or sensitive personal data. The scammers often request processing fees, verification charges, or personal banking details, preying on the desperation of young Nigerians eager for overseas education.
“We have zero tolerance for fraud and any misrepresentation of our official mandate. The NDDC has not authorised any agent, individual, or unofficial email address to contact applicants or solicit funds,” she added. “We categorically dissociate ourselves from this fraudulent selection process.”
Official Channels Only
To combat the spread of misinformation, the NDDC urges the public to verify all scholarship-related communication via its official scholarship website. Any email or message not originating from @nddc.gov.ng should be treated as suspicious.
“Applicants are strongly advised to disregard any unsolicited messages requesting money, sensitive information, or offering unverified scholarship placements.”
The agency is calling on past beneficiaries, current applicants, and interested candidates to always fact-check any scholarship opportunity. Verifying legitimacy through the official NDDC platforms is the only safeguard against falling into the hands of scammers.
Nationwide Impact
This isn’t the first time Nigerian agencies have been impersonated for fraudulent activities. In the digital age, scholarship scams have become rampant, especially when agencies like the NDDC roll out real financial assistance schemes. In recent years, multiple individuals have fallen prey to similar scams promising admission, visa processing, and housing under the guise of educational grants.
Security analysts warn that the combination of high internet usage, economic hardship, and limited access to authentic education information in rural communities contributes significantly to the success of such scams.
Call to Action
NDDC is working closely with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies to trace the origins of these fraudulent communications. It encourages anyone who has received or acted upon these deceptive emails to file an immediate report with the Nigerian Police Force or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The agency has also activated a fraud alert desk to track recurring scam patterns and issue prompt alerts to the public.
Contact for reports and verification:
Official Website: www.nddc.gov.ng
Scholarship Portal: www.scholarship.nddc.gov.ng
Official Email: info@nddc.gov.ng
Hotline: 0800-225-6632
How to Stay Safe from Scholarship Scams
NDDC recommends the following precautionary measures:
- Always verify the source of any scholarship email or message before acting.
- Do not pay any money for registration, verification, or processing unless it is explicitly stated on the official site.
- Look out for red flags like free web-based emails (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo), urgent tone, lack of official letterhead, and spelling errors.
- Contact the official NDDC website for confirmation if in doubt.
- Report suspicious messages to cybersecurity authorities and delete them immediately.
Building Trust and Transparency
Mrs. Thompson-Wakama emphasized that the NDDC remains committed to providing real educational opportunities to talented Nigerians through a transparent and merit-based selection process.
“The trust of the public is important to us. We are intensifying our efforts to ensure no Nigerian is misled by these unscrupulous individuals. Let us work together to protect the integrity of our national development programmes,” she said.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. Agencies like NDDC are urging citizens to remain vigilant, informed, and proactive
Stay Informed. Stay Protected. Share This Alert.
