The Federal Government has commenced applications for the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund Overseas Scholarship Scheme, offering Nigerian postgraduate students opportunities to study in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.
The announcement was made via the X (formerly Twitter) account of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, on Monday.
According to the PTDF statement, the scheme targets MSc and PhD candidates in fields relevant to the oil and gas sector. Benefits include full tuition, return flight tickets, accommodation and living allowances, health insurance, and bench fees where applicable.
“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 statement read.
For PhD applicants in the UK, scholarships will follow a split-site arrangement, allowing research to be conducted between the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and selected UK universities, including Robert Gordon University, University of Strathclyde, and University of Portsmouth.
The agency emphasized that the scholarships are highly competitive. “Only candidates who demonstrate outstanding merit and suitability will be considered,” it stated. Evaluation will be based on academic credentials, research proposals, professional body membership, and relevance to the oil and gas industry.
Requirements for MSc applicants include a minimum of Second Class Lower (2.2) in a first degree (or 2.1), NYSC completion, computer literacy, and five O’Level credits including English and Mathematics. PhD applicants must submit a research proposal of up to five pages.
“All applicants must ensure their National Identity Number (NIN) is verified prior to application, and multiple applications or submission of falsified documents will result in automatic disqualification,” the PTDF added.
Interested candidates are to apply online at scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng for approved programmes at PTDF partner institutions. The application deadline is February 27, 2026.
