YENAGOA, In a major boost to human capital development in the Niger Delta, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has launched a landmark N2 billion scholarship scheme. The initiative is designed to support 1,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students residing in host communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) across Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, and Imo states.
The announcement was made during a monthly stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, where the company also reported a significant operational milestone: zero incidents of pipeline vandalism within its covered corridor. PINL, which is responsible for the security of the Eastern Corridor of the TNP and the Eastern Gas Network (EGN), attributed this stability to the strengthened relationship between the firm and its host communities.
Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s General Manager of Community and Government Relations, detailed the financial scope of the program, noting that 600 students in Bayelsa State have already begun receiving grants. These individual awards range from N500,000 to N1 million, specifically aimed at easing the rising costs of higher education.
“Empowered communities are more likely to support and protect critical infrastructure,” Dr. Mezeh stated, emphasizing that education is a cornerstone of the company’s social investment strategy. In addition to the student grants, the company also announced the rollout of a dedicated empowerment fund for women in the region.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), represented by Engr. Akponime Omojevwe, praised the synergy between PINL and local stakeholders. Omojevwe highlighted that the absence of illegal bunkering and vandalism is a direct result of community inclusion. He urged residents to sustain this cooperation to ensure long-term economic and operational stability for the nation’s oil infrastructure.
The scholarship has already begun to transform lives. A Civil Engineering student at Niger Delta University, Canus Samuel shared that the grant would allow him to focus entirely on his studies without the looming stress of tuition fees. Similarly, postgraduate beneficiaries noted that the fund provides a vital lifeline for researchers and advanced students who often struggle with limited financial resources.