FG Opens Applications For 2026 Overseas Scholarships

The Federal Government has opened 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.

According to the post, the scholarship programme is targeted at MSc and PhD candidates in disciplines relevant to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

A statement published on the PTDF scholarship portal explained that the scheme covers tuition fees, return flight tickets, accommodation, living allowances, health insurance, and bench fees where applicable.

“The 2026 Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships provide access to world-class training, advanced research facilities, and global expertise, while developing indigenous capacity for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” the statement said.

For PhD applicants opting to study in the United Kingdom, PTDF disclosed that the programme will adopt a split-site arrangement. This allows scholars to conduct research between the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and selected partner universities in the UK, including Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of Portsmouth.

The Fund emphasised that the scholarship process is highly competitive, noting that only candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic merit and suitability would be shortlisted.

Applicants will be assessed based on academic performance, the quality of research proposals, professional body memberships, and the relevance of their chosen fields of study to the oil and gas sector.

PTDF stated that MSc applicants must possess a minimum of Second Class Lower (2.2) in their first degree, have completed the National Youth Service Corps programme, demonstrate computer literacy, and possess at least five O’Level credits including English Language and Mathematics.

PhD applicants are also required to submit a research proposal of no more than five pages detailing their objectives, methodology, and data collection strategies.

“All applicants must ensure their National Identity Number (NIN) is verified before applying. Multiple applications or submission of falsified documents will lead to automatic disqualification,” the statement added.

Interested candidates are advised to apply online through the PTDF scholarship portal. Applications close on February 27, 2026.