The Federal Government has opened applications for the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Overseas Scholarship Scheme, offering Nigerian postgraduate students the opportunity to pursue advanced studies in key oil and gas–related disciplines abroad.
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, who confirmed that applications for the highly competitive programme are now open.
According to information published on the PTDF scholarship portal, the scheme is designed for MSc and PhD candidates seeking training in disciplines relevant to Nigeria’s petroleum sector. Beneficiaries will study in selected institutions in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.
The scholarship package covers tuition fees, return air tickets, accommodation, living allowances, health insurance, and bench fees where applicable. PTDF noted that the programme aims to provide access to world-class education and research facilities while strengthening indigenous capacity in the oil and gas industry.
For PhD candidates studying in the United Kingdom, PTDF explained that the programme will adopt a split-site model. Under this arrangement, scholars will conduct their research partly at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and partly at partner UK universities, including Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of Portsmouth.
The agency stressed that the selection process will be strictly merit-based. Applicants will be assessed based on academic performance, relevance of proposed research to the oil and gas sector, professional body memberships, and overall suitability for the programme.
Eligibility requirements for MSc applicants include a minimum of Second Class Lower (2:2) in a first degree, completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, computer literacy, and at least 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 objectives, methodology, and data collection strategies.
PTDF also warned that all applicants must have a verified National Identity Number (NIN) before applying, noting that multiple applications or submission of falsified documents will lead to automatic disqualification.
Interested candidates are required to submit their applications online via http://scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng for approved programmes at PTDF partner institutions. The deadline for applications is February 27, 2026.
