The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has begun interviews for its 2026/2027 Overseas Scholarship Scheme, screening 424 candidates at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi. Of those, 266 are applying for master's degrees and 158 for PhDs, all competing for slots in energy-related programmes abroad. The selection process, running from April 7 to 17, is being conducted simultaneously across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. Candidates are assessed on academic performance, research relevance to national priorities, and communication skills by expert panelists.
Sirajo Abdullahi Fari, Team Lead for the 2026 OSS interviews and Deputy Manager Services at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, described the scholarship as a strategic effort to build skilled professionals for Nigeria's oil and gas sector. He said the selection involves system verification, document screening, and evaluation by consultants, with PTDF's ICT systems ensuring transparency. The fund has partnered with institutions in the UK, Germany, Malaysia, and parts of Europe to train Nigerians in critical energy fields. According to Fari, past beneficiaries now work at the Dangote Refinery, Shell, and other major energy firms, while some have become professors and panelists themselves. Professor Abubakar Isa Bello of Bayero University, Kano, affirmed that assessments are merit-based and conducted without interference from PTDF.
PTDF's continued investment in overseas training for 424 Northeast candidates signals a sustained focus on technical capacity building in a region often sidelined in national development. With Sirajo Abdullahi Fari confirming that alumni now hold key roles at the Dangote Refinery and international firms, the scholarship is producing tangible returns in workforce localization. This means more Nigerians could soon occupy high-skill positions in the energy sector, reducing reliance on foreign expertise. The rigorous, merit-driven process also challenges assumptions about patronage in federal interventions.
