PTDF interviews 5,885 candidates for overseas scholarships

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund has commenced nationwide interviews for 5,885 shortlisted Nigerians drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory for its overseas postgraduate scholarship programme.

The exercise reflects a highly competitive selection process and highlights the rising demand for specialised skills in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, as more candidates seek opportunities for advanced studies abroad.

The exercise, which commenced on Tuesday, is part of the PTDF 2026/2027 Overseas Scholarship Scheme and is being conducted simultaneously across six centres nationwide, with officials insisting that merit and federal character principles will determine the final selection.

Speaking at the kickoff of the exercise in Abuja, the Deputy General Manager, Education and Training, PTDF, Bello Mustapha, said the interviews would run from April 7 to April 17 across the six geopolitical zones.

He said, “We are here to commence the interview process for the 2026–2027 Overseas Scholarship Scheme. We just finished briefing the panelists, and the interviews have started on schedule.

“The exercise is taking place concurrently in six centres across the country. In the North-Central, we are in Abuja; North-East, Bauchi; North-West, Kaduna; South-South, Rivers; South-East, Enugu; and South-West, Oyo.”

Findings, however, show that despite the increase in shortlisted candidates, the scheme has become more competitive compared to the previous year. In 2025, the fund received over 29,000 applications for Master’s and PhD programmes and shortlisted about 5,000 candidates for interviews across the six geopolitical zones.

A comparison of both cycles indicates that applications rose by about 31 per cent from 29,000 in 2025 to over 38,000 in 2026. In contrast, the number of shortlisted candidates increased by a slower 17.7 per cent from 5,000 to 5,885.

This disparity has effectively reduced the selection rate, tightening candidates’ chances of making the shortlist. While about 17.2 per cent of applicants were shortlisted in 2025, the figure dropped to approximately 15.5 per cent in 2026.

“Over 38,000 people applied for this programme, but we shortlisted 5,885 candidates for the interviews. This shows how competitive the process is,”  Mustapha said.

He explained that the shortlisted candidates would compete for limited slots in partner institutions across key global education destinations, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.

“We have partnerships with countries like the UK, Germany, France, and Malaysia. That is why we are conducting these interviews, to determine those who will eventually be awarded the scholarships to study in these countries,” he added.

On concerns about fairness and regional balance, Mustapha emphasised that the final selection would strictly adhere to Nigeria’s federal character principle, with monitoring by relevant authorities to ensure transparency.

“The final selection is based on federal character. Each state is allocated a certain number of slots. For instance, if three MSc slots are assigned per state, then each state will produce three successful candidates.

“However, some oil-producing states may receive additional slots. The Federal Character Commission is also involved; they send officials to monitor the process and ensure fairness,” Mustapha said.

He clarified that while candidates were free to attend interviews at any centre nationwide, the eventual selection would still reflect equitable state representation. “You can attend your interview in any centre of your choice. Someone from the South-East can come to Abuja, or vice versa. But when it comes to final selection, federal character is applied,” he added.

Addressing the wide gap between applicants and shortlisted candidates, Mustapha said PTDF deployed a rigorous screening process based on academic performance, relevant work experience, and other measurable criteria.

“We have our own parameters. You must meet those criteria before you are invited. For example, you need a First Class, Second Class Upper, or even a Second Class Lower with relevant working experience.

“We also grade your academic records, including your O’Level results. If you have an ‘A’ in certain subjects, you get higher marks. It is the total score that determines who is shortlisted,” he explained.

He, however, declined to state the exact number of eventual awardees, noting that the figure would depend on available funding. “The number of successful candidates will depend on the budget. Management will determine that based on the financial provisions available,” he said.

Mustapha further clarified that while the scheme remains largely focused on petroleum-related disciplines, some allied courses are also considered. “We primarily focus on petroleum studies, but we also have supporting programmes such as management and petroleum law. All these are relevant to the sector,” he added.

The PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme remains one of Nigeria’s most prestigious government-funded education programmes, designed to build local capacity for the oil and gas industry by training professionals in top institutions abroad.

Over the years, the scheme has produced thousands of graduates who now occupy critical roles across Nigeria’s energy value chain, including upstream operations, policy development, and technical services.

However, the programme has also faced increasing pressure due to rising application numbers, limited funding, and growing demand for international education, making the selection process more competitive than ever. The heavy interest in the scheme reflects both the enduring appeal of oil and gas careers and the limited access to quality postgraduate education within Nigeria.