Abuja: The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has commenced the screening process for 5,723 candidates shortlisted for its 2025/2026 Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) aimed at awarding MSc and Ph.D scholarships.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the selection interview took place on Monday in Abuja, where Mr Ahmed Aminu, Executive Secretary of PTDF, revealed that the organization received 29,633 applications, out of which 5,723 were shortlisted through a transparent process. Represented by Mr Bello Mustapha, Deputy General Manager, Education and Training at PTDF, Aminu emphasized the fund's role in skill and capacity building for Nigeria's oil and gas industry.
The screening exercise is designed to assess candidates' suitability while adhering to Federal Character principles. Aminu highlighted the credibility of the panelists, who are professionals from academia and the energy sector, and noted their crucial role in identifying deserving candidates. Since its inception in 2000, PTDF has awarded overseas scholarships for MSc and Ph.D programs as part of its mandate.
In a bid to enhance efficiency and foster technology development, PTDF has established partnerships with institutions in the UK, France, Germany, and Malaysia. Scholarship beneficiaries will have the opportunity to pursue English-taught programs at top institutions in these countries. Specifically, all PhD programs in the UK will be conducted as split-site programs in partnership with PTDF-owned College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna, and three UK universities.
Panel members are tasked with evaluating candidates based on criteria such as academic performance, research potential, leadership qualities, and personal suitability for overseas studies. Aminu stressed the importance of professionalism and integrity during the selection process, warning that failure to adhere to these standards could result in disqualification.
Mrs Bolanle Kehinde-Agboola, Head of the Overseas Scholarship Scheme at PTDF, stated that interviews for the 5,723 shortlisted candidates will be conducted at six centres across the country's geopolitical zones. She affirmed PTDF's longstanding reputation for integrity, transparency, and fairness in granting scholarships.
The application process involves an electronic system that allocates points based on submitted information, followed by a physical verification and shortlisting, leading up to oral interviews. Kehinde-Agboola mentioned that PTDF also considers Management and Law courses in addition to petroleum-related fields due to their relevance to the oil and gas industry.
Some candidates expressed gratitude for the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies abroad. Mr Usman Awolerimi, a lawyer, applied for an MSc in International Commercial Law at the University of Nottingham and described the process as professional. Miss Elohor Ewherido, an applicant for an MSc in International Business Management, praised the transparency of the process. Mr Oluwatobi Emmanuel, an Electrical Electronics Engineer, applied for MSc in Energy and Sustainable Engineering at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and found the application process seamless.