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 study in top institutions across the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Malaysia.
The announcement was made on Monday through a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, confirming the commencement of the highly sought-after scholarship programme.
According to details published on the PTDF scholarship board website, the scheme is designed for MSc and PhD candidates pursuing courses relevant to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Successful applicants will enjoy comprehensive funding, including full tuition, return flight tickets, accommodation and living allowances, health insurance, and bench fees where applicable.
The PTDF explained that the 2026 Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships aim to expose beneficiaries to world-class training, advanced research facilities and global expertise, while strengthening local capacity in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
For PhD applicants choosing the United Kingdom, the programme will operate under a split-site arrangement. This allows scholars to conduct their research between the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and selected UK partner universities such as Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Portsmouth.
The agency noted that the scholarship is highly competitive, stressing that only candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic merit and relevance to the oil and gas sector will be shortlisted. Evaluation will be based on academic performance, research proposals, professional body memberships and the applicability of the proposed study to industry needs.
MSc applicants are required to possess a minimum of Second Class Lower (2.2) in their first degree, completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, basic computer literacy and at least five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics. PhD candidates must also submit a detailed research proposal of no more than five pages, outlining their objectives, methodology and data collection plans.
PTDF further warned that all applicants must ensure their National Identity Number (NIN) is properly verified before applying. Multiple applications or the submission of false documents will lead to automatic disqualification.
Interested and eligible candidates are advised to apply online via scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng for approved programmes at PTDF partner institutions. Applications will close on February 27, 2026.
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