The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has initiated the second phase of interviews for the 2026/2027 PhD awards under its Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS), targeting 2,102 PhD applicants from across Nigeria. This exercise, which commenced in Abuja, follows the successful completion of Master’s interviews conducted at four centers nationwide. Dr. Bello Mustapha, PTDF’s Deputy General Manager for Education and Training, noted that Abuja alone accounts for 912 shortlisted candidates who are scheduled for interviews over a five-day period.
The selection process adheres to the Federal Character principle, ensuring that candidates compete within their respective states, with top performers selected based on merit. The number of successful awardees will depend on budgetary allocations, with final decisions resting with PTDF management after the interview process. While the UK remains a popular destination for Master’s scholars, PTDF has domesticated its PhD program through a split-site arrangement with partner universities, allowing candidates to spend part of their study period abroad. Other participating countries include Malaysia, Germany, and France.
The Fund received over 30,000 applications for both Master’s and PhD programs, with approximately 5,800 candidates shortlisted for interviews. A delegation from the Federal Character Commission (FCC) monitored the selection process to ensure fairness and compliance with national balance principles. State Coordinator John Uchara, accompanied by Commissioner Prof. Eugene Aleba, commended PTDF for demonstrating transparency and adherence to federal character guidelines. Uchara emphasized, “Our duty is to ensure that the process reflects the federal character principles to avoid complaints from any part of Nigeria,” noting that the final assessment would be based on the overall intake and its reflection of national balance.
Prof. Bashir Aliyu, a panelist from Modibbo Adama University, Yola, described the quality of candidates as highly impressive, highlighting that the process was progressing smoothly and transparently. The panel focuses on assessing candidates’ academic backgrounds, research capacities, and the relevance of their proposed PhD work to national development. To ensure that only credible candidates are selected, PTDF has implemented robust verification mechanisms, including document authentication and checks on publications.
Candidates have expressed optimism about their research proposals and the scholarship opportunity. Tanko Fwadwabea, a Chemical Engineer, aims to focus on process simulation for blue hydrogen production, intending to add value to Nigeria’s natural gas resources while reducing carbon emissions. Cornelia Collins-Onoha, a returning candidate in geosciences, proposed studying the spread and persistence of antimicrobial-resistant genes in aquatic environments affected by oil pollution. She noted improvements in the process’s structure and timeliness compared to the previous year. Overall, the PTDF scholarship program continues to attract significant interest, reflecting its importance in developing Nigeria’s human capital in the petroleum and energy sectors.
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