The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially announced the opening of the overseas scholarship portal for postgraduate studies for the 2026/2027 academic session.
This year’s application cycle, primarily spearheaded by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), is designed to provide high-achieving Nigerian graduates with the opportunity to pursue Master’s (MSc) and Doctoral (PhD) degrees at world-class institutions abroad.
It was gathered that the overseas scholarship for postgraduate studies initiative aims to bridge the skills gap in critical sectors, particularly within the oil, gas, and renewable energy industries.
For the 2026 intake, the Nigerian government overseas scholarship for postgraduate studies focuses on strategic partnerships with top-tier universities across four major global destinations:
- United Kingdom (including split-site PhD arrangements)
- Germany
- France
- Malaysia
By collaborating with these countries, the government ensured that scholars have access to advanced research facilities and international expertise that can be repatriated to bolster Nigeria’s indigenous economic capacity.
To ensure a merit-based selection, the Federal Government has set strict criteria for prospective applicants. Candidates are evaluated based on academic excellence, professional membership, and the relevance of their proposed research to national development.
The announcement was confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, on Monday.
“FG has announced the commencement of applications for 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarships overseas,” the post said.
According to information on the scholarship board’s website, the scheme is open to MSc and PhD candidates in disciplines relevant to the oil and gas sector. Beneficiaries will receive full support, including tuition, return air tickets, accommodation and living allowances, health insurance, and bench fees where applicable.
“The 2026 Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships provide access to world-class training, research facilities, and global expertise, while developing indigenous capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector,” the PTDF statement said.
For PhD candidates studying in the United Kingdom, the scholarship will operate under a split-site arrangement. This allows scholars to carry out research both at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and at selected partner universities in the UK, including Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Portsmouth.
The agency noted that the programme is highly competitive. “Only candidates who demonstrate outstanding merit and suitability will be considered,” the statement said. It added that selection would be based on academic records, research proposals, professional memberships and how relevant the proposed study is to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
To qualify for the MSc category, applicants must have at least a Second Class Lower (2.2) or Second Class Upper (2.1) in their first degree, have completed the NYSC programme, be computer literate, and possess at least five O’Level credits including English Language and Mathematics. PhD applicants are also required to submit a research proposal of no more than five pages detailing their objectives, methodology and data collection plans.
“All applicants must ensure their National Identity Number (NIN) is verified prior to application, and multiple applications or submission of falsified documents will result in automatic disqualification,” the PTDF statement added.
Applications must be submitted online through scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng for programmes approved at PTDF partner institutions. The deadline for submission is February 27.
