The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has commenced the screening of 5,723 shortlisted candidates nationwide for its 2025/2026 Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) for Master’s (MSc) and Doctoral (Ph.D.) programmes.
Speaking during the selection interview held on Monday in Abuja, Mr. Ahmed Aminu, Executive Secretary of PTDF, said the Fund received a total of 29,633 applications, out of which 5,723 were shortlisted through a transparent process.
Aminu, who was represented by Mr. Bello Mustapha, Deputy General Manager, Education and Training, said the PTDF is charged with building skills, competencies, and capacities for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
He noted that the ongoing screening exercise is aimed at assessing candidates’ suitability and has been structured to efficiently handle the high volume of applicants while adhering to Federal Character principles.
Describing the interview panellists as credible professionals drawn from academia and the energy sector, Aminu emphasized that their expertise and recommendations would be crucial in selecting the most qualified candidates.
He recalled that since 2000, PTDF has been engaged in various initiatives to fulfill its mandate, one of the most notable being the overseas scholarship programme for MSc and Ph.D. candidates.
As part of its commitment to enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and fostering technological development, the PTDF has established strategic partnerships with institutions in the UK, France, Germany, and Malaysia.
Aminu explained that the scholarships offer beneficiaries the opportunity to pursue English-taught programmes at some of the best universities in these countries.
“All Ph.D. programmes in the UK under this scheme will be offered exclusively as split-site programmes in partnership with the PTDF-owned College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna and three UK universities,” he said.
Panel members, he added, are expected to evaluate candidates based on predetermined criteria, including academic performance, research potential, leadership qualities, and overall suitability for overseas studies.
“It is necessary to reiterate the need for absolute professionalism and integrity from all parties involved in the exercise. Failure to strictly adhere to this may lead to disqualification,” Aminu warned.
“You will be expected to score applicants’ credentials, research proposals or statements of purpose, and professional memberships in line with the provided templates.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Bolanle Kehinde-Agboola, Head of the Overseas Scholarship Scheme at PTDF, said interviews for the shortlisted candidates would be held across six designated centres representing the country’s six geopolitical zones.
She noted that the scholarship scheme has been in existence for about 25 years, during which PTDF has earned a reputation for integrity, transparency, and fairness in awarding scholarships.
“When the application portal opens, we already have a system in place that electronically assigns points based on the information provided by applicants. These scores are then reviewed before shortlisting based on set criteria,” she explained.
According to her, while the focus remains on petroleum-related disciplines, the PTDF also considers Management and Law courses due to their relevance as support fields within the oil and gas industry.
Several shortlisted candidates expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the PTDF for the opportunity to study abroad and pledged to make the most of it if selected.
Mr. Usman Awolerimi, a lawyer who applied to study International Commercial Law at the University of Nottingham, described the process as professional and transparent.
Miss Elohor Ewherido, an MSc applicant in International Business Management, also commended the process and expressed optimism about the interview outcome.
Mr. Oluwatobi Emmanuel, an electrical/electronics engineer, said he learned about the scholarship through PTDF’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle and website, applied, and was subsequently shortlisted.
“I did not encounter any challenges while applying. The whole process was seamless. I’m excited to be selected and hopeful to study MSc Energy and Sustainable Engineering at the Technical University of Munich, Germany,” he said.
