By Sunday Apah
The Federal Government has officially opened applications for the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Overseas Scholarship Scheme, offering Nigerian postgraduate students the chance to pursue advanced studies in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.
This development was confirmed through a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Dada Olusegun, the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, on Monday.
“The Federal Government has officially commenced the application process for the 2026 PTDF Overseas Scholarships,” the announcement declared.
According to information on the PTDF Scholarship Board website, the program targets MSc and PhD candidates specializing in fields pertinent to the oil and gas industry.
The scholarship package covers tuition fees, round-trip airfare, accommodation, living expenses, health insurance, and bench fees if applicable.
The PTDF noted, “The 2026 Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships offer access to premier global training, research infrastructure, and expertise, aimed at fortifying indigenous capacity within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”
For PhD candidates applying to institutions in the United Kingdom, the scholarship follows a split-site model, allowing research activities to be conducted both at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK) and at designated UK partner universities, including Robert Gordon University, University of Strathclyde, and University of Portsmouth.
The agency underscored the competitiveness of the scholarship. “Only applicants demonstrating exceptional merit and alignment with program objectives will be shortlisted,” said the statement.
Evaluation criteria include academic achievements, quality of research proposals, professional affiliations, and relevance to the petroleum industry.
Applicants for MSc programs must possess at least a Second Class Lower division (2.2) or better in their undergraduate degree, have completed the NYSC, demonstrate computer proficiency, and hold a minimum of five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
PhD candidates are required to submit a detailed research proposal (up to five pages) outlining objectives, methodological approach, and data collection techniques.
“All candidates must validate their National Identity Number (NIN) before submitting their applications. Submission of multiple applications or fraudulent documents will lead to immediate disqualification,” the PTDF warned.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply through the official portal at scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng for programs offered by PTDF-affiliated institutions. The deadline for submitting applications is February 27th.
Source: Punch
