The Federal Government has opened applications for the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Overseas Scholarship Scheme, providing Nigerian postgraduate students the opportunity to study in selected foreign universities.
The announcement was made on Monday in a statement shared on X by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Mr. Dada Olusegun.
According to PTDF, the scholarship is open to MSc and PhD candidates pursuing oil and gas–related courses in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Malaysia.
Successful applicants will receive full sponsorship, covering tuition fees, return air tickets, accommodation, living allowances, health insurance and bench fees where applicable.
In a statement on its official website, PTDF said the programme is aimed at strengthening local capacity by exposing Nigerian scholars to advanced training, cutting-edge research facilities and global best practices in the energy sector.
For PhD candidates studying in the UK, the fund disclosed that a split-site arrangement will be adopted, allowing scholars to conduct research at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna, and partner universities in the UK. Approved institutions include Robert Gordon University, University of Strathclyde and University of Portsmouth.
PTDF noted that the scholarship is highly competitive, with selection based on academic excellence, research proposal quality, professional relevance and alignment with Nigeria’s oil and gas needs.
Eligibility criteria for MSc applicants include a minimum of Second Class Lower degree, completion of NYSC, computer literacy and at least five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics. PhD applicants must submit a research proposal of not more than five pages detailing objectives, methodology and data collection.
The fund warned that applicants must have a properly verified National Identity Number (NIN), stressing that multiple applications or submission of false documents would result in disqualification.
Interested candidates are to apply online via the PTDF scholarship portal, with applications closing on February 27