PTDF Begins Screening Northern Candidates for International Study Awards

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has started interviewing applicants from the North-West and North-East zones as part of its ongoing selection process for overseas postgraduate scholarships.

The exercises are being held at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna and at the PTDF centre at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, where hundreds of candidates are undergoing evaluations for Master’s and PhD funding opportunities abroad.

In Kaduna, 681 applicants are being assessed for Master’s programmes this week, while 287 PhD hopefuls will be interviewed in the coming days.

Overall, the fund received tens of thousands of applications nationwide for its 2026/2027 scholarship cycle, with just over 6,000 candidates initially advancing to the interview stage.

Officials leading the zonal screenings described the process as transparent and merit-based, noting that representatives from the Federal Character Commission are present to monitor fairness and adherence to guidelines.

At the Bauchi centre, candidates were cautioned against submitting fake certificates, with officials warning that any forged documents would lead to immediate disqualification.

Panel members are assessing applicants on academic achievement, leadership potential, communication skills, clarity of purpose, and readiness for international study.

Many candidates expressed optimism about the opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s petroleum industry after obtaining advanced training abroad.

The PTDF scholarship programme remains a key initiative of the federal government to develop skilled professionals for the nation’s energy sector through postgraduate education overseas.