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 selected universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.

The development 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, announcing the commencement of the application process.

According to information published on the PTDF scholarship board website, the scheme is open to MSc and PhD candidates in disciplines relevant to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Successful applicants will benefit from full tuition coverage, return flight tickets, accommodation and living allowances, health insurance, and bench fees where applicable.

The Fund stated that the 2026 Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships are designed to provide access to world-class education, advanced research facilities, and global expertise, while strengthening indigenous capacity development in the nation’s petroleum sector.

For PhD candidates applying to universities in the United Kingdom, the programme will operate under a split-site arrangement. This will allow scholars to conduct research at both the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and selected partner institutions in the UK, including Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of Portsmouth.

PTDF noted that the scholarship is highly competitive, stressing that only candidates who demonstrate exceptional merit and suitability will be shortlisted. Selection will be based on academic performance, quality of research proposals, professional body membership, and the relevance of the proposed study to the oil and gas industry.

To be eligible, MSc applicants must possess a minimum of Second Class Lower (2.2) degree, have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, be computer literate, and hold at least 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 objectives, methodology, and data collection plans.

The Fund also warned that applicants must ensure their National Identity Number (NIN) is verified before applying, adding that multiple applications or submission of falsified documents will lead to automatic disqualification.

Interested candidates are to apply online through scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng for approved programmes at PTDF partner institutions. Applications close on February 27, 2026.