The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. The program will sponsor Nigerian students for Master’s and PhD degrees at top universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.
In a significant shift, all PhD scholarships to the UK will now follow a split-site model, requiring scholars to split their research time between the newly established College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK) and selected UK partner institutions.
Scholarship benefits include full tuition, flight tickets, living allowances, and health insurance. The scheme is open to graduates with a strong academic record and a background relevant to the oil and gas industry.
“These scholarships are highly competitive and designed to develop local capacity while providing world-class training,” a PTDF statement noted.
Applications are restricted to pre-approved courses at PTDF’s partner universities. Interested candidates must apply online through the official PTDF scholarship portal before the deadline of February 27, 2026.
Key Requirements:
-
Minimum of Second Class Upper for MSc applicants
-
Completion of NYSC
-
Verified National Identity Number (NIN)
-
A compelling study plan or research proposal
In addition:
- All lecturers must also submit a letter from their Vice-Chancellors confirming that they are not currently benefiting from any other scholarship.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MANDATORY)
Applicants are required to scan and upload clear copies of the following documents during online application:
- First Degree Certificate or Statement of Result
- NYSC Discharge Certificate
- WAEC/GCE/SSCE/NECO results and the relevant PIN(s) (to enable online verification)
- Recent passport photograph
- Local Government Identification Letter
- Master’s Degree Certificate (PhD applicants only)
- Evidence of membership of relevant professional associations
IMPORTANT NOTES
Applicants are further advised to note the following:
- The scholarship is for the 2026 academic session.
- Applications are limited to PTDF-approved courses at PTDF partner institutions.
- Scholarships will only be awarded for studies relevant to PTDF’s mandate; candidates may be disqualified for programmes deemed not relevant to the oil and gas industry.
- The proposed course of study must be consistent with the applicant’s prior academic background.
- Applicants intending to pursue a PhD scholarship under the PTDF/DAAD partnership in Germany are required to secure a research supervisor prior to the final selection interviews.
- Multiple applications will result in automatic disqualification.
- Submission of any illegible or falsified documents as part of the application will result in automatic disqualification,
- Candidates previously sponsored by the Fund for a scholarship category (MSc/PhD) are ineligible to apply again for the same or lower category.
- Shortlisted candidates invited for interview will be required to present their transcripts; applicants are therefore advised to make transcripts available in advance.
All applications must be submitted via: https://scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng/
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The closing date for applications is 27th February 2026 (six weeks from the date of this publication).
