The Federal Government has announced the commencement of applications for the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Overseas Scholarship Scheme, offering Nigerian postgraduate students the opportunity to study in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Malaysia.
The announcement was confirmed on Monday in a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun.
“FG has announced the commencement of applications for 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarships overseas,” the post stated.
PTDF said the programme is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s technical capacity 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,” the agency said.
For PhD candidates applying to study in the United Kingdom, the scholarships will operate under a split-site arrangement. Research will be conducted between the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and selected UK partner institutions, including Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Portsmouth.
The agency stressed that the scholarships are highly competitive and applicants will be assessed based on academic qualifications, the quality of their research proposals, professional memberships and the relevance of their proposed studies to the oil and gas industry. “Only candidates who demonstrate outstanding merit and suitability will be considered,” PTDF said.
Requirements
REQUIREMENTS
A) MSc Applicants must:
- Possess a minimum of Second Class Upper (2.1) in the first degree, or a Second Class Lower (2.2) with relevant industry experience
- Have completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
- Be computer literate
- Possess five (5) O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics
- Submit a Statement of Purpose (maximum 500 words) stating:
- rationale for the proposed study;
- relevance to the oil and gas industry; and
- expected contribution to national development
- Have a National Identity Number (NIN) and ensure it is fully verified prior to application (NIMC verification charges apply)
B) PhD Applicants must:
- Have completed the mandatory NYSC
- Be computer literate
- Possess five (5) O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics
- Possess at least Second Class Lower (2.2) in the first degree and a good postgraduate degree
- Submit a research proposal relevant to the oil and gas industry (maximum five (5) pages) covering:
- Topic;
- Introduction/background;
- Objectives;
- Methodology; and
- Data collection approach
- Have a NIN and ensure it is verified prior to application (NIMC verification charges apply)
In addition:
- All lecturers must also submit a letter from their Vice-Chancellors confirming that they are not currently benefiting from any other scholarship.
Interested candidates are to apply online via scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng for approved programmes at PTDF partner institutions. Applications close on 27 February 2026.
