By Danjuma Amodu | January 21, 2026
The Federal Government has opened applications for the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Overseas Scholarship Scheme, inviting Nigerian MSc and PhD candidates to study in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Malaysia. A post on X (formerly Twitter) from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, confirmed the announcement today.
According to the PTDF board, successful scholars will receive full tuition, return air tickets, accommodation, living allowances, health insurance and, where applicable, bench fees. “The 2026 Overseas MSc and Ph.D Scholarships provide access to world‑class training, research facilities and global expertise while developing indigenous capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector,” the statement read.
For PhD candidates targeting UK institutions, the award operates as a split‑site programme, allowing research to be conducted both at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK) and at partner universities such as Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Portsmouth.
Eligibility for the MSc route requires at least a Second Class Lower (2.2), preferably a 2.1, in a first degree, completion of the NYSC scheme, computer literacy and five O’Level credits including English Language and Mathematics. PhD applicants must submit a research proposal of no more than five pages, outlining aims, methodology and data‑collection plans. All candidates must have a verified National Identity Number (NIN); multiple applications or falsified documents will result in automatic disqualification.
Applications are to be completed online for approved programmes at PTDF partner universities. The deadline for submission is 27 February 2026.
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1973 as a dedicated agency to build indigenous capacity in the oil‑and‑gas sector. Its core mandate is to sponsor and support education, training and research that will equip Nigerians with the technical and managerial skills needed to drive the nation’s hydrocarbon industry.
Since its inception, PTDF has run a flagship Overseas Scholarship Scheme that enables qualified Nigerian graduates to pursue master’s (MSc) and doctoral (Ph.D.) studies at reputable universities abroad. The programme targets disciplines directly relevant to petroleum exploration, production, processing, environmental management and related engineering fields.
By sending scholars to countries with advanced oil‑and‑gas research ecosystems, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Malaysia and, more recently, Canada and the United States, the fund aims to transfer cutting‑edge knowledge back to Nigeria and reduce dependence on foreign expertise.
Through these scholarships, PTDF has produced thousands of specialists who now hold key positions in government agencies, national oil companies, private firms and academia, helping to drive local content development and technological innovation in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
