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

 

The announcement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, said the programme offers Nigerian postgraduate students the opportunity to study abroad.

 

According to the post, successful applicants will pursue studies in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Malaysia under the fully funded scholarship scheme.

 

“FG has announced the commencement of applications for 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarships overseas,” the post stated.

 

Details published on the PTDF scholarship portal show that the scheme is open to MSc and PhD candidates in disciplines relevant to the oil and gas sector. Benefits include full tuition, return air tickets, accommodation, living allowances, health insurance and bench fees where applicable.

 

The agency said the initiative is designed to strengthen local expertise in the energy sector.

 

“The 2026 Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships provide access to world-class training, research facilities, and global expertise, while developing indigenous capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector,” PTDF said.

 

For MSc applicants, eligibility requirements include a minimum of a Second Class Lower (2.2) degree or higher, 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 also required to submit a research proposal of no more than five pages detailing their objectives, methodology and data collection strategy.

 

PTDF explained that PhD candidates studying in the United Kingdom will follow a split-site arrangement, conducting research between the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and selected partner universities, including Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Portsmouth.

 

The agency noted that the scholarship is highly competitive and selection will be strictly merit-based.

 

“Only candidates who demonstrate outstanding merit and suitability will be considered,” the statement said.

 

Applicants will be assessed based on academic performance, quality of research proposals, professional memberships and the relevance of their chosen fields to the oil and gas industry.

 

PTDF also warned that applicants must verify their National Identity Number (NIN) before applying, adding that multiple submissions or falsified documents would lead to automatic disqualification.

 

Interested candidates are to apply online via scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng for approved programmes at PTDF partner institutions.

 

The deadline for applications is February 27, 2026.