How Nigerian students fit qualify for federal govment PTDF scholarship wey go send dem abroad
Wia dis foto come from, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Getty Images
Di Nigeria govment, through the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), don open applications for di 2026 Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships, wey go offer fully funded postgraduate study opportunities for United Kingdom, Germany, France and Malaysia.
PTDF, wey be govment agency wey dey established to build indigenous capacity and advance petroleum technology for Nigeria oil and gas sector, yarn dis one ontop dia website.
"Di scheme dey offer opportunities to study specific programmes for selected partner universities abroad, providing access to world-class training, research facilities, and global expertise," di statement tok.
Di overseas scholarship scheme na one of dia flagship programmes, wey aim to produce highly skilled professionals and researchers wey fit contribute to national development, energy security and industrial growth.
Wetin di scholarship dey offer
Di 2026 PTDF Overseas Scholarship go provide comprehensive financial support for successful candidates.
Benefits include return flight tickets, full tuition and bench fees wia applicable, health insurance, and allowances to cova accommodation and living expenses throughout di study period.
According to di Fund, di scheme dey structured to expose Nigerian scholars to world-class universities, ogbonge research facilities and global best practices, and ensure say knowledge wey students gain go dey relevant to Nigeria energy and petroleum needs.
Kontris, universities and courses
For di 2026 academic session, PTDF don limit applications to dia approved partner universities in di United Kingdom, Germany, France and Malaysia. Di Fund explain say dis restriction dey intended to maintain high academic standards and ensure say sponsored programmes align closely wit dia mandate.
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Only PTDF-approved courses dey eligible for sponsorship, and di full list of supported programmes, along wit application forms, fit dey accessed through di official scholarship portal for scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng.
One key feature of di 2026 scholarship cycle na di continuation of di split-site PhD arrangement for candidates wey dey study for United Kingdom. Under dis model, PhD scholars go split dia research time between di College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and selected UK partner universities.
Di approved UK partner universities for di split-site PhD programme na Robert Gordon University, di University of Strathclyde and di University of Portsmouth.
How dem go select candidates
PTDF tok say di scholarship dey highly competitive and merit-based. After initial screening of applications, top candidates from each state go dey shortlisted and invited for interviews.
Selection go dey based on academic performance, quality and relevance of degrees obtained, professional qualifications, publications for PhD applicants, membership of recognised professional bodies, and di strength and relevance of study plans or research proposals.
Di Fund go also assess how closely applicants background aligns wit di oil and gas industry and di proposed course of study.
Who fit apply
MSc Applicants gatz get:
- Minimum of Second Class Upper (2.1) for di first degree, or Second Class Lower (2.2) wit relevant industry experience
- Suppose don complete di mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
- Be computer literate
- Possess five (5) O'Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics
- Submit Statement of Purpose (maximum 500 words) wey state:
- rationale for di proposed study;
- relevance to di oil and gas industry; and
- expected contribution to national development
- Get National Identity Number (NIN) and ensure say e dey fully verified bifor di application (NIMC verification charges apply)
PhD Applicants:
- Suppose don complete di mandatory NYSC
- Be computer literate
- Possess five (5) O'Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics
- Possess at least Second Class Lower (2.2) for di first degree and good postgraduate degree
- Submit research proposal wey dey relevant to di oil and gas industry (maximum five (5) pages) wey cova:
- Topic;
- Introduction/background;
- Objectives;
- Methodology; and
- Data collection approach
- Get NIN and ensure say e dey verified bifor application (NIMC verification charges apply)
Applicants gatz upload clear and verifiable copies of all required documents, including academic certificates, NYSC discharge certificate, O'Level results, passport photograph, local govment identification letter, and evidence of professional membership.
PTDF say multiple applications, submission of falsified or illegible documents, or applications for programmes wey no dey relevant to di oil and gas industry go lead to automatic disqualification. Candidates wey don dey previously sponsored by PTDF for di same or lower category no fit apply.
Di Fund advise say make shortlisted candidates ensure say dia academic transcripts dey readily available ahead of interviews.
Why di scholarship mata
Beyond individual career advancement, PTDF say di overseas scholarship scheme na strategic investment for Nigeria future workforce.
By training Nigerians for specialised fields and ensure say research address local challenges, di programme dey expected to support innovation, reduce dependence on foreign expertise, and strengthen Nigeria position for di global energy industry.
Applications dey open till 27 February 2026.
