The Federal Government has opened applications for the 2026 edition of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund Overseas Scholarship Scheme, offering fully funded postgraduate opportunities for Nigerians in leading universities across the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.

The scheme, managed by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, is one of the government’s flagship human-capital development programmes for the oil and gas industry. It is designed to train a new generation of Nigerian professionals and researchers in critical areas of petroleum technology, energy, and related disciplines, while exposing them to global best practices and advanced research environments.

According to information released by the PTDF and shared by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, the 2026 cycle covers Master’s and Doctoral studies in carefully selected fields that are directly relevant to the oil, gas, and broader energy sectors. The Fund emphasised that the programme is not a general-purpose scholarship, but a targeted intervention to build specialised skills that can support Nigeria’s energy transition, local content development, and technological innovation.

Successful candidates will receive comprehensive funding that includes full tuition at designated partner universities, return economy-class airfare, accommodation and living allowances, health insurance, and, where applicable, bench fees for laboratory-based or highly technical research. These benefits are intended to remove financial barriers for talented Nigerians and allow them to focus fully on their studies and research.

In its statement, the PTDF described the 2026 Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future. The Fund noted that the programme provides access to world-class training and research facilities, international faculty, and cutting-edge technologies, while ensuring that beneficiaries remain connected to the needs and priorities of the domestic oil and gas industry.

One of the distinctive features of the new application cycle is the structure of the PhD awards in the United Kingdom. Doctoral scholarships will operate on a split-site model, in which candidates conduct part of their research at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna, and the remainder at selected UK partner universities. These partner institutions include Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of Portsmouth, all of which have established reputations in petroleum engineering, energy systems, and related disciplines.

The split-site arrangement is intended to deepen collaboration between Nigerian and foreign institutions, encourage joint supervision, and ensure that research projects are grounded in Nigeria’s specific technical and policy challenges. It also allows candidates to build international networks while maintaining a strong institutional base at home.

The PTDF stressed that the scholarships are highly competitive and will be awarded strictly on merit. Applicants will be assessed on their academic records, the quality and relevance of their proposed field of study or research, professional experience, and evidence of commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Membership of relevant professional bodies, publications, and prior industry experience may strengthen an application but do not replace the core academic requirements.

For Master’s degree applicants, the minimum academic requirement is a Second Class Lower (2.2) in a relevant first degree, although candidates with a Second Class Upper (2.1) or higher are likely to be more competitive. Applicants must have completed the National Youth Service Corps programme, demonstrate basic computer literacy, and possess at least five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.

PhD applicants face more stringent conditions. In addition to holding a relevant Master’s degree, they must submit a detailed research proposal of up to five pages. This proposal should clearly state the research topic, objectives, methodology, and proposed data collection and analysis approaches. The PTDF expects candidates to show that their research questions are aligned with current and emerging issues in the oil and gas industry, such as reservoir management, refining and petrochemicals, gas utilisation, energy transition, environmental protection, digitalisation, and local content development.

All applicants are required to have their National Identity Number verified before beginning the application process. The Fund has warned that multiple applications, incomplete submissions, or the use of falsified documents will lead to automatic disqualification. The verification requirement is part of broader efforts to tighten eligibility checks, prevent fraud, and ensure that awards go to genuine and qualified candidates.

Applications are to be submitted exclusively through the PTDF’s dedicated online portal for scholarships. Prospective candidates are expected to select from approved programmes at PTDF partner institutions in the four host countries. These partner universities are chosen based on their track record in petroleum-related disciplines, research output, and capacity to support the Fund’s objectives.