The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) is a Federal Government agency in Nigeria that focuses on developing indigenous human capacity and petroleum technology to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry. They are currently inviting applications from qualified candidates for their Overseas MSc and PhD scholarships for the 2024/2025 academic session.

The PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme aims to provide candidates with the opportunity to benefit from a diverse range of knowledge and facilities offered by world-class institutions around the world. Interested applicants can apply through PTDF to specific programs at partner institutions. The scholarship covers various expenses such as flight tickets, health insurance, tuition fees, bench fees (if applicable), and allowances for accommodation and living expenses.

For the 2024/2025 award, applications will be limited to PTDF partner universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia. These countries were selected based on the Fund’s confidence in maintaining high standards of education and ensuring that the objectives of the scheme are best served.

It’s important to note that PTDF scholarships are highly competitive, and only outstanding candidates who excel across all criteria will be selected.

A full list of sponsored courses and Application Forms are available on the scholarship portal: scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng

Selection Process, Criteria & Requirements

PTDF scholarships are highly competitive, and only candidates who are outstanding across the board are selected.

Based on the submitted qualifications, the top applicants for each category from each state will be invited for an interview where a selection committee will be constituted to assess applications using the following criteria:

• Academic merit as evidenced by the quality of degrees, full academic transcripts and other professional qualifications acquired
• Relevant publications to be referenced by applicant (PhD applicants only)
• Membership of professional bodies
• The viability and relevance of the study/research plan.
• Relevance of previous studies to the oil and gas industry and the proposed course/research

MSc Requirements

1. A minimum of Second Class Upper (2.1) qualification in their first degree or a Second Class Lower (2.2) with relevant industry experience
2. Must have completed the mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC)
3. Must be computer literate
4. Possession of 5 O/level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
5. Statement of purpose (maximum 500 words) stating the reason(s) for the proposed study, its relevance to the industry and its expected impact on national development.
6. Applicants must have a National Identity Number (NIN) and will be required to have verified it (NIMC verification charges apply)before applying for the scholarship.

PhD Requirements

1. Must have completed the mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC)
2. Must be computer literate
3. Possession of 5 O/level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
4. A minimum of Second Class Lower (2.2) in their first degree and a good post-graduate degree
5. A research proposal relevant to the oil and gas industry (of not more than five pages) to include: Topic, introduction, objective, methodology and mode of data collection.
6. For the approved PhD Research Areas click on this link
7. All lecturers must produce a letter from their Vice Chancellors confirming that they are not in receipt of any other scholarships
8. Applicants must have a National Identity Number (NIN) and will be required to have verified it (NIMC verification charges apply) before applying for the scholarship.

Required Documents

Applicants are advised to scan copies of the following documents and attach them to their online application forms:

1. First Degree Certificate or Statement of Result
2. NYSC discharge certificate
3. WAEC/GCE/SSCE/NECO results and the PINs on the application forms to enable PTDF to view the O’level results on the relevant website.
4. Recent Passport Photograph
5. Local Government Identification Letter
6. Master’s Degree Certificate (PhD Applicants only)
7. Evidence of membership in professional associations

Kindly also note the following:

1. The scholarship is for the 2024/2025 academic session.
2. The scholarship is limited to PTDF approved courses in PTDF partner institutions.
3. Scholarships will only be awarded for studies relevant to PTDF’S mandate; candidates may be disqualified for applying for programmes not relevant to the oil and gas industry.
4. For the approved PhD Research Areas click on this link
5. The proposed course of study must also be related to previous studies.
6. Candidates with multiple applications will lead to disqualification.
7. Candidates who have been sponsored by the Fund for a scholarship category (MSc/PhD) are ineligible to make another application for the same category.

Candidates who successfully scale through the first round of screening will be requested to attend the interviews round with their transcripts; all applicants are therefore advised to prepare their transcripts in anticipation.

Application Deadline:

The closing date for the application is Monday, March 18^th, 2024