The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has shortlisted a total of 5,746 candidates for its 2025 Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS), marking another significant stride in the federal government’s efforts to build local capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The interviews, which commenced on Monday across six designated centres nationwide, will run throughout the week and form a crucial stage in the final selection process for Master’s (MSc) and Doctorate (PhD) applicants.
Breakdown of Shortlisted Candidates:
MSc candidates: 3,875
PhD candidates: 1,871
Kaduna centre: 560 candidates (350 MSc, 210 PhD)
According to Atahiru Ahmad, PTDF Manager of Training, the interview process is being conducted in six geopolitical centres to ensure accessibility for all applicants. Each candidate had the option to choose the centre closest to their location.
“We are expecting 350 candidates in Kaduna this week for the MSc interview. We schedule them for morning and afternoon sessions,” Ahmad explained.
The programme focuses exclusively on oil and gas-related disciplines, reflecting PTDF’s mandate to develop skilled professionals for Nigeria’s energy sector.
Ensuring Transparency and Fairness
Dalhatu Ibrahim, Director of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in Katsina, was present to monitor the Kaduna centre’s activities and affirmed that the process is guided by merit and fairness.
“This is not the first time PTDF is conducting this. They have clear criteria for shortlisting. Our role is to ensure the process is equitable and transparent,” he said.
Candidates’ Aspirations
Some of the candidates shared their career ambitions and motivations for applying:
Capt. Chukwuebuka Nwali, a Nigerian Army officer, applied to study Nuclear Physics, aiming to find sustainable solutions to corrosion problems in the oil sector.
“I want to add value to the country after completing my studies abroad,” he stated.
Ibrahim Jamilu, a geoscientist, hopes to pursue Environmental Geology, aiming to address ecological degradation from oil and gas operations.
“I want to understand how human activities affect the geologic environment and use that to address environmental issues,” he noted.
Habiba Ali, an economist, seeks to study Computational Finance to advance the intersection of technology and financial services in Nigeria.
“I hope to contribute to financial reform, especially in the oil and gas industry,” she said.
About the PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme
The PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme is a fully funded initiative by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources to train Nigerian graduates in strategic disciplines relevant to the oil and gas industry.
What the scholarship covers:
Tuition fees
Return flight tickets
Health insurance
Living allowances
Research grants (for PhD candidates)
Priority disciplines include:
Engineering (Petroleum, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, etc.)
Geosciences and Environmental Management
Energy Economics and Oil & Gas Law
Emerging areas like Data Science, AI, and Renewable Energy
By investing in high-level human capital, the PTDF aims to reduce reliance on foreign expertise, advance local innovation, and equip Nigerian professionals with global best practices—an essential strategy for strengthening the long-term sustainability of the country’s energy sector.
More information on the scheme and future application windows can be found on the official PTDF portal: https://ptdf.gov.ng.
