SaharaReporters learnt that Okpe, who died on May 18, was among 164 outstanding Nigerian youths honoured with a three-fold scholarship package in March 2015 by then-President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Nigerian scholar, Jacobs Williams Okpe, has tragically passed away in Manchester, the United Kingdom, while awaiting the disbursement of his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) scholarship funds — nearly a decade after being awarded the prestigious national honour.

SaharaReporters learnt that Okpe, who died on May 18, was among 164 outstanding Nigerian youths honoured with a three-fold scholarship package in March 2015 by then-President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The award included a fully funded Master’s degree, a Ph.D. scholarship, and federal government employment.

While around 80 recipients — mostly under the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) — were immediately funded and have since completed their doctorates, the remaining 86, including Okpe, have faced prolonged delays.

Until his death, SaharaReporters understands that Okpe was distressed by the Nigerian government’s failure to fulfill its promises and struggled with the prospect of returning home without completing his Ph.D.

Of the promised three-tier package, only the Master’s funding was disbursed through the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB).

The Ph.D scholarship and federal employment components remain unfulfilled for many.

SaharaReporters gathered that frustrated by years of unsuccessful lobbying, some of the affected scholars staged peaceful protests in 2018 to draw attention to their plight.

Okpe, a vocal but cautious advocate within the group, had expressed concerns about being targeted by anti-graft agencies like the ICPC if he joined the public protests.

“He was even scared that if he joined the clamour for the release of our PhD scholarship funds, he might get probed by the ICPC,” a fellow awardee recalled. “He wrote this in the group chat just before his demise.”

His final nine messages in the group chat focused on the unresolved issue of their Ph.D. scholarship funding, reflecting his deep concern until his last days.

“164 Nigerian youths won the awards. About 80 were earmarked to be under PTDF and were immediately fully funded since 2015 for their Master’s and PhD — virtually all of whom have become doctors.”

“The remaining 86 of us awardees had to stage two peaceful protests in 2018 when we realised that lobbying the National Assembly was unsuccessful.

Jacobs Williams Okpe (the deceased) is part of the 86 awardees who have not been given PhD scholarship funds. Funds were released only for our Master’s programme by the FSB (Federal Scholarship Board).”

“They are yet to release our PhD scholarship program funds to date — 10 years after the awards for excellent, exemplary rural community development projects.”

Disparities in disbursed funds have also raised concerns among the awardees. One recipient noted that while he received £12,000 in living allowances during his Master’s programme, another awardee from a different region reportedly received £21,000 — raising questions of fairness and transparency.

“Sadly, during the Master’s degree payment, I realised FSB gave disparities in living allowance funds. Whilst my allowance was £12,000, that of someone from the Northern region was about £21,000,” one affected scholar told SaharaReporters.

The cumulative value of the PhD funding, which includes annual living expenses over several years, is substantial.

Scholars argue that the delay not only jeopardises their academic futures but also tarnishes the integrity of national awards meant to reward excellence and service.

Despite petitions — including one to the ICPC in 2019 — and repeated follow-ups with the FSB, there has been little progress.

“We are still awaiting the release of the scholarship funds,” a representative of the affected group stated. “It’s been 10 years, and the silence is deafening.”

The death of Jacobs Williams Okpe is a painful reminder of the cost of bureaucratic delays and broken promises.

His passing underscores the urgent need for accountability and justice for all 86 scholars still waiting for what they were promised—a chance to continue their education and serve their nation with dignity.

“I am saddened that Jacobs Williams Okpe (aka Big Willy) died without receiving his PhD scholarship funds. His last nine posts in the WhatsApp group were about our PhD scholarship funds after I ramped up calls to go public on the matter,” a scholar devastated by Okpe’s death told SaharaReporters.

,”I am saddened that about 82 national honors awardees have completed their PhD scholarship programmes, while we are yet to be funded. It’s unfair and discriminatory, especially while Nigerian politicians live large on public funds,” the affected Scholar added.

Another scholar also awaiting PhD funding from the Nigerian government while  eulogising Jacobs wrote;
“A sad day for me and my fellow NYSC Presidential Awardees, we lost a friend… just like that. William Jacob Williams Okpe was the best male NYSC corps member when we recieved our NYSC Presidential award at the Aso Rock Villa in 2015.”
“What will become of your young pregnant wife and little baby,” the scholar posted.

In a similar development, in March 2024, SaharaReporters had reported that students under the Nigerian Government Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) scholarship decried delays in the payment of their stipends, which they said caused severe hardship.