The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has launched nationwide interviews for 5,885 shortlisted applicants drawn from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory under its Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Programme.
The exercise underscores the highly competitive nature of the selection process and reflects the growing demand for specialised expertise in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, as more candidates pursue advanced studies abroad.
The interviews, which commenced on Tuesday, are part of the 2026/2027 PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme. They are being conducted simultaneously across six centres nationwide, with officials emphasising that merit and the federal character principle will guide the final selection.
Speaking at the commencement of the exercise in Abuja, PTDF’s Deputy General Manager, Education and Training, Bello Mustapha, disclosed that the interviews would run from April 7 to April 17 across the six geopolitical zones.
“We have begun the interview process following a successful briefing of panelists, and the exercise is proceeding as scheduled,” he said.
Mustapha noted that the interviews are taking place concurrently in Abuja (North-Central), Bauchi (North-East), Kaduna (North-West), Rivers (South-South), Enugu (South-East), and Oyo (South-West).
Despite the increase in shortlisted candidates, findings indicate that the selection process has become more competitive compared to the previous year. In 2025, over 29,000 applications were received for Master’s and PhD programmes, with about 5,000 candidates shortlisted.
By comparison, applications rose significantly to over 38,000 in 2026—an increase of about 31 percent—while shortlisted candidates grew by a smaller margin of 17.7 percent to 5,885. This has reduced the selection rate, with approximately 15.5 percent of applicants shortlisted in 2026, down from 17.2 percent in 2025.
“Out of more than 38,000 applicants, only 5,885 were shortlisted, which shows how competitive the process has become,” Mustapha stated.
He explained that successful candidates would compete for limited slots in partner institutions across key global destinations such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.
Addressing concerns about fairness, Mustapha reiterated that the final selection would strictly adhere to Nigeria’s federal character principle, with oversight from the Federal Character Commission to ensure transparency.
“Each state is allocated a specific number of slots. For example, if three MSc slots are assigned, each state will produce three successful candidates, although oil-producing states may receive additional allocations,” he explained.
He added that candidates are free to attend interviews at any centre nationwide, but final selections would still reflect equitable state representation.
On the screening process, Mustapha revealed that PTDF employs rigorous criteria, including academic performance, relevant work experience, and O’Level results.
“To qualify, candidates must meet set benchmarks such as a First Class, Second Class Upper, or a Second Class Lower with relevant experience. Academic records are graded, and higher scores are awarded for strong subject performance,” he said.
He, however, declined to disclose the exact number of eventual awardees, noting that it would depend on available funding.
While the scheme primarily focuses on petroleum-related disciplines, Mustapha noted that allied fields such as management and petroleum law are also considered due to their relevance to the sector.
The PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme remains one of Nigeria’s most prestigious government-funded education initiatives, aimed at building local capacity in the oil and gas industry by training professionals in leading institutions worldwide.
Over the years, the programme has produced thousands of graduates who now play key roles across Nigeria’s energy value chain. However, increasing application numbers, limited funding, and rising demand for international education continue to intensify competition for the highly sought-after slots.
