FG opens applications for 2026 PTDF Overseas scholarships

The Federal Government has announced the commencement of applications for the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Overseas Scholarship Scheme.

The announcement was made on Monday via a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun.

According to the post, the scholarship programme offers Nigerian postgraduate students the opportunity to pursue MSc and PhD studies in selected institutions across the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Malaysia.

Details published on the PTDF scholarship portal indicate that the scheme targets disciplines relevant to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Successful candidates will enjoy full sponsorship, covering tuition fees, return air tickets, accommodation, living allowances, health insurance and bench fees where applicable.

The Fund stated that the 2026 overseas scholarships are designed to expose beneficiaries to advanced training, cutting-edge research facilities and global best practices, while strengthening local capacity in the petroleum industry.

Applicants seeking admission for MSc programmes are required to possess at least a Second Class Lower degree, evidence of NYSC completion, computer literacy and a minimum of five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics. PhD applicants must also submit a research proposal of no more than five pages, detailing research objectives, methodology and data collection plans.

For PhD candidates applying to study in the United Kingdom, the programme will operate under a split-site arrangement. Research activities will be conducted between the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna, and selected partner universities in the UK, including Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Portsmouth.

The PTDF noted that the scholarship is highly competitive, stressing that only applicants who demonstrate exceptional academic merit and relevance to the oil and gas sector will be shortlisted.

Selection criteria, the agency said, include academic performance, quality of research proposals, professional body membership and alignment of the proposed course of study with industry needs.

Applicants were also warned to ensure their National Identity Number (NIN) is verified before submission, adding that multiple applications or falsification of documents would attract automatic disqualification.

Interested candidates are to apply online through the PTDF scholarship portal. Applications close on February 27.