The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) is calling for the establishment of a Federal Polytechnic in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Comrade Bene Youkore Mamamu, president of the NDYC, made the request in an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The letter, made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday, argues that a polytechnic in Ogbe-Ijoh would significantly benefit the region.
“This institution would serve as a major boost for technological advancement, skills training, and vocational education among the youths of the Niger Delta,” Mamamu said in the letter. “This, in turn, would create more opportunities throughout the country.”
Mamamu highlighted the lack of educational facilities in the oil-rich Warri South-West Local Government Area. “Despite being one of the top oil and gas producers in Delta State,” he lamented, “the headquarters of the region is completely neglected when it comes to access to tertiary education.”
The NDYC president emphasized the importance of vocational and technical training for empowering local communities. “Establishing a higher institution in Ogbe-Ijoh would foster a sense of belonging for the riverine dwellers in the heart of the Niger Delta,” he argued.
Mamamu acknowledged the president’s recent allocation of N683.4 billion for public tertiary institutions in 2024. “This allocation,” he said, “demonstrates your administration’s commitment to educational continuity and policy consistency. We also commend your focus on prioritizing skills development, technology, and vocational training, initiatives that will undoubtedly create more opportunities nationwide.”
The NDYC’s proposal comes amidst ongoing discussions about educational development in the Niger Delta region. The group hopes that their call for a federal polytechnic in Ogbe-Ijoh will receive serious consideration from the government.