FG Opens Applications for 2026 Overseas Scholarships

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 via 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 the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarships overseas,” the post stated.

Scholarship Overview

According to information published on the PTDF scholarship portal, the scheme is open to MSc and PhD candidates in disciplines relevant to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Successful applicants will benefit from a comprehensive funding package that includes:

Full tuition fees
Return flight tickets
Accommodation and living allowances
Health insurance
Bench fees (where applicable)

PTDF noted that the programme is designed to provide access to world-class training, cutting-edge research facilities, and global expertise, while strengthening local capacity within Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

Special PhD Arrangement in the UK

For PhD candidates studying in the United Kingdom, the scholarship will operate under a split-site model. Research will be conducted between the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and selected partner universities in the UK, including:

Robert Gordon University
University of Strathclyde
University of Portsmouth

Selection Criteria

The agency emphasised that the scholarship is highly competitive.

“Only candidates who demonstrate outstanding merit and suitability will be considered,” PTDF stated.

Applicants will be assessed based on:

Academic qualifications
Research proposals
Membership of relevant professional bodies
Relevance of the proposed course of study to the oil and gas industry

Eligibility Requirements

MSc Applicants must have:

A minimum of Second Class Lower (2.2) or Second Class Upper (2.1) in a first degree
Completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme
Basic computer literacy
Five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics

PhD Applicants must additionally submit:

A research proposal (maximum of five pages) outlining objectives, methodology, and data collection methods

All applicants are required to ensure their National Identity Number (NIN) is verified before applying. PTDF warned that multiple applications or submission of falsified documents will lead to automatic disqualification.