The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the commencement of applications for the 2026 Overseas Scholarship Scheme under the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), offering fully funded postgraduate study opportunities abroad for qualified Nigerians.
The announcement was made on Monday, January 19, 2026, via a post by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on social media, Dada Olusegun, on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Under the scheme, eligible Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidates can apply to study in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.
The government emphasised that the scholarships are designed to provide Nigerians with access to world-class training, advanced research facilities and global expertise while building indigenous capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to develop a highly skilled workforce for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, a key driver of national revenue.
Such scholarship programmes have historically been used to bridge gaps in technical skills and research capacity, enabling Nigerian professionals to gain experience from global institutions and return to contribute to national development.
For PhD candidates, studies in the United Kingdom will operate under a split-site arrangement, allowing recipients to conduct research both at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK) and at selected partner universities in the UK, including Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Portsmouth.
The scholarship covers tuition fees, return air tickets, accommodation and living allowances, health insurance, and bench fees where applicable. The PTDF noted that the programme is highly competitive and will consider only candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic merit and suitability.
To qualify for the MSc category, applicants must hold at least a Second Class Lower (2.2) or Second Class Upper (2.1) degree, have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, be computer literate, and possess a minimum of five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
PhD applicants are additionally required to submit a research proposal of no more than five pages detailing their study objectives, methodology and data collection plans.
The PTDF has mandated that all applicants must ensure their National Identity Number (NIN) is verified before submitting applications. Multiple applications or submission of falsified documents will result in automatic disqualification.
Applications must be submitted online through the official PTDF scholarship portal at scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng for programmes approved at the Fund’s partner institutions. The deadline for submission is February 27, 2026.
The 2026 Overseas Scholarship Scheme aims to deepen technical expertise in Nigeria’s critical energy sector and strengthen research and innovation capacity.
By enabling qualified Nigerians to study in leading global institutions, the Federal Government seeks to enhance human capital development that supports domestic industry growth and contributes to economic competitiveness.
Prospective applicants are urged to review eligibility criteria carefully and complete the application process before the closing date.
The PTDF has emphasised that only candidates with demonstrable academic excellence and relevant research interests to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry will be considered, reinforcing the competitive nature of the 2026 Overseas Scholarship Scheme.
