The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has commenced the screening of over 500 shortlisted candidates for the 2026/2027 Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme in the South West zone of the country.
The exercise, which was witnessed by the Federal Commissioner representing Lagos State at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Abuja, AbdulWasiu Kayode Bawa-Allah, was held at the Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan.
The selected candidates were drawn from various disciplines, ranging from Engineering, Applied Sciences, Sciences, Geosciences, Environmental Studies, Energy, Management Technology, and Law, among others.
The Federal Commissioner, who was represented by a Director in the FCC, Abuja, Mrs. Oluwakemi Opakunle, assured that the Commission will ensure equity and fairness in the selection of qualified candidates for the 2026/2027 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) for MSc and PhD awards.
Recall that the PTDF OSS is an annual scholarship programme for MSc and PhD studies, held at designated centres across the six geo-political zones of the country.
Its purpose is to provide Nigerian students with the intellectual foundation and skill set needed to participate actively in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Speaking further, Bawa-Allah, who supervised the exercise, said the process, as laid down, is being duly followed, adding that merit will not be compromised by the FCC to ensure that those who qualify and take the exams are beneficiaries.
On his assessment of the exercise, he applauded the PTDF Overseas Scholarship selection process, which, according to him, is fair, transparent, and devoid of manipulation and interference.
The Federal Commissioner hinted that the number of candidates for sponsorship will be determined by the total number of candidates who pass on merit, saying, “The exact amount of funding available is determined by the number of those who eventually qualify.”
Bawa-Allah commended the Federal Government for the initiative, noting that the scholarship programme has exposed the abundant human talent Nigeria is blessed with.
The Head of Human Resources of the PTDF and Team Lead of the OSS selection in the South West zone, Mrs. Bolanle Agboola, disclosed that a total of 921 candidates applied for Master’s degree overseas scholarship programmes in the zone, while 298 candidates applied for PhD programmes.
According to her, a total of 6,211 applicants were shortlisted for the screening exercise out of 38,399 candidates who applied for the 2026/2027 PTDF overseas scholarship programme nationwide.
She explained that the application window for the selection process started in February 2026 and lasted for six weeks, in line with the federal character principle, after which candidates were shortlisted based on laid-down criteria.
According to her, the exercise was being held simultaneously in all six geo-political zones of the country, adding that the ongoing screening exercise is meant to interview candidates orally based on their qualifications and intellectual capacity.
Agboola said the PTDF Overseas Scholarship Programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as exceptional and indigent students are supported to further their studies in top-ranked universities overseas, so as to contribute immensely to the oil and gas industry through innovation and academic excellence.
“This exercise is the flagship programme of the PTDF for human development,” she said.
She urged beneficiaries to return to the country after completing their programmes abroad to bring their knowledge and expertise to bear in the oil and gas sector, saying, “The government is expanding so much to send them abroad to gain knowledge, experience, and exposure.”
In their separate remarks, a first-class graduate of Electronics Engineering from Afe Babalola University, Temitope Ashade, an indigene of Lagos State, and Mohammed Malik, also a first-class graduate of Computer Engineering from the University of Ilorin, commended the efforts of the PTDF, describing the conduct of the exercise as seamless and fair.
