The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially opened the application window for the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme, offering qualified Nigerians the opportunity to pursue advanced studies abroad.
The announcement was made through an official update published on the PTDF’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account, confirming the commencement of the application process for the highly competitive international scholarship programme.
The PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s technical and professional capacity in the oil and gas sector by supporting postgraduate education in strategic fields relevant to the energy industry.
Scholarship Coverage and Partner Countries
According to the PTDF, the 2026 scholarships will support both Master’s and Doctoral degree programmes. However, awards are restricted to selected partner universities located in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.
The agency explained that these countries were chosen following extensive assessments to ensure high academic standards, research quality, and alignment with Nigeria’s petroleum development objectives. By working with carefully selected institutions, the PTDF aims to maximise the impact of the programme on national capacity building.
For Doctoral candidates studying in the United Kingdom, the PTDF will implement a split-site arrangement. Under this model, beneficiaries will divide their research time between the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and partner universities in the UK. These include Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of Portsmouth.
Successful applicants will receive a comprehensive funding package covering return flight tickets, health insurance, full tuition fees, and research-related laboratory costs where applicable. The scholarship also provides accommodation allowances and monthly living stipends to support scholars throughout the duration of their studies.
The PTDF noted that the full list of eligible courses, application guidelines, and required forms are available on its official scholarship portal. All applications must be completed and submitted online no later than February 27, 2026.
Highly Competitive Selection Process
The Fund emphasised that the selection process for the 2026 Overseas Scholarships will be extremely competitive. Only candidates who demonstrate strong academic performance, professional relevance, and clear alignment with the objectives of the PTDF will be shortlisted.
After an initial screening of submitted documents, the top candidates from each state and category will be invited for oral interviews. During these assessments, a selection panel will evaluate applicants based on several criteria, including academic excellence, relevance of qualifications, and overall suitability for the programme.
Other factors considered include professional certifications, membership of recognised industry bodies, quality of research output for Doctoral applicants, and the relevance and feasibility of proposed research or study plans. The PTDF will also assess how closely an applicant’s previous education aligns with the petroleum industry and the proposed field of study.
Requirements for Master’s Degree Applicants
Candidates applying for Master’s degree scholarships must hold at least a Second Class Upper (2:1) degree. Applicants with a Second Class Lower (2:2) degree may be considered if they possess relevant industry experience.
Additional requirements include completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), basic computer literacy, and a minimum of five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics. Applicants must also submit a personal statement of no more than 500 words explaining their motivation for the chosen programme, its relevance to the oil and gas sector, and its potential contribution to Nigeria’s development.
A valid and verified National Identity Number (NIN) is mandatory before submission.
Requirements for Doctoral Applicants
Doctoral applicants are required to have completed NYSC, demonstrate computer proficiency, and possess at least five O’Level credits, including English and Mathematics. Candidates must hold a minimum of a Second Class Lower (2:2) bachelor’s degree and a strong Master’s degree qualification.
In addition, applicants must submit a detailed research proposal, limited to five pages, clearly outlining the research topic, background, objectives, methodology, and data collection approach. A confirmed NIN is also compulsory.
Academic staff applying for the Doctoral scholarship must provide a letter from their institution confirming that they are not currently benefiting from any other scholarship or funding arrangement.
Documentation and Compliance
During the online application process, candidates are required to upload clear scanned copies of all supporting documents. These include academic certificates or statements of results, NYSC discharge certificates, and O’Level results with relevant verification PINs.
Other required documents include a recent passport photograph, a certificate of local government origin, postgraduate certificates for PhD applicants, and evidence of membership in relevant professional associations.
The PTDF warned that multiple applications, submission of falsified documents, or unclear uploads will result in automatic disqualification. Applicants seeking Doctoral placement in Germany under the PTDF-DAAD collaboration must secure a research supervisor before the final selection stage.
The Fund also stated that previous beneficiaries of PTDF scholarships are not eligible to apply for the same or a lower level of funding.
Previous Application Cycle
For context, the PTDF disclosed that during the 2025 Overseas Scholarship cycle, it received 29,633 applications nationwide. Out of this number, 5,723 candidates were awarded scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral programmes.
Beyond core petroleum-related disciplines, the PTDF continues to consider complementary fields such as management and legal studies, recognising their growing importance within Nigeria’s evolving energy sector.
