The Federal Government has officially opened applications for the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Overseas Scholarship Scheme, offering Nigerian postgraduate students the opportunity to pursue advanced studies abroad in key oil- and gas-related disciplines.
The announcement was made on Monday via a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, confirming that the scholarship will enable successful candidates to study in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.
According to information published on the PTDF scholarship portal, the scheme is open to MSc and PhD applicants whose fields of study are relevant to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The fully funded package covers tuition fees, return air tickets, accommodation, living allowances, health insurance, and bench fees where applicable.
“The 2026 Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships provide access to world-class education, cutting-edge research facilities, and global expertise, while strengthening indigenous capacity within Nigeria’s petroleum sector,” PTDF stated.
To qualify, MSc applicants must possess a minimum of Second Class Lower (2.2) or Second Class Upper (2.1) degree, have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, demonstrate computer literacy, and hold five O-Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
PhD applicants are additionally required to submit a research proposal of no more than five pages, detailing their research objectives, methodology, and data collection strategies.
For PhD candidates studying in the United Kingdom, the scholarship will operate under a split-site arrangement, allowing research to be conducted between the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK) and selected UK partner universities, including Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of Portsmouth.
PTDF emphasised that the scholarship process is highly competitive, noting that “only candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic merit and suitability will be selected.” Evaluation will be based on academic qualifications, research proposals, professional memberships, and the relevance of the proposed programme to the oil and gas sector.
The agency also warned that all applicants must ensure their National Identity Number (NIN) is properly verified before applying. Multiple applications or the submission of falsified documents will lead to automatic disqualification.
Interested candidates are required to apply online via scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng, selecting from approved programmes at PTDF partner institutions.
Applications close on February 27.
About the Author
