PTDF screens 424 candidates in Northeast as overseas scholarship interviews begin
From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has commenced the 2026/2027 Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) selection interviews, with 424 shortlisted candidates participating at the Northeast centre held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University.
ATBU, Bauchi.Out of the 424 students to be screen in the North East, the Fund has shortlisted 266 for masters degree and 158 for PhD.
The exercise, which runs from April 7 to 17, is being conducted simultaneously across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to building local capacity in the oil and gas sector.
At the Bauchi centre, the interview process began today Tuesday in an orderly and competitive atmosphere, with candidates vying for limited slots in the highly sought-after MSc and PhD scholarship programme.
Speaking during the exercise, the Team Lead for the 2026 OSS interviews ,the Deputy Manager Services, College of Petroleum and Energy Studies,
Sirajo Abdullahi Fari described the scheme as a strategic initiative aimed at grooming professionals for Nigeria’s energy industry.
Fari explained that the process involved three stages; system verification, screening of documents by the personnel of the Fund and vetting by a team of consultants.
According to him, the Fund’s mandate is to train for human capital development to fill the manpower shortage in the oil sector.
He said that the PTDF has been sponsoring students abroad for the past 20 years and necessary development contributions have been recorded.Fari said, the PTDF scholarship programme focuses on training Nigerians in oil and gas-related fields at partner institutions across the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, and other parts of Europe
.“The essence of this scheme is to bridge the technical gap between expatriates and indigenous professionals in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. We want Nigerians to acquire the competence required to take up critical roles in the industry,
”He explained that candidates are assessed based on academic qualifications, relevance of their research proposals to national priorities, and their ability to clearly communicate their ideas.
“The panelists are experts in their fields. They examine the candidates’ proposals, especially for PhD applicants, to determine their relevance to current realities in the oil and gas sector,”
He said that the programme has consistently produced outstanding scholars who excel globally, expressing satisfaction with the performance of past beneficiaries.
Fari said “We have been receiving testimonies that our former cohorts are now part of the people manning the newly built Dangote Refinery, Shell and other places.
In fact, many others are now professors who are the ones being deployed as panelist’On transparency, Fari highlighted the role of PTDF’s ICT systems in ensuring a credible selection process, and explained that application portals are time-stamped and credentials rigorously verified.
He explained that the Fund has always insist on merit and ensure that qualified candidates emerged regardless of their status, tribe or connection.
One of the panelists, Professor Abubakar Isa Bello of Bayero University, Kano, said that the exercise is centred on merit-based without interference from PTDF.
“We have been given the guidelines and follow through, we therefore at the end of the day make recommendations based on our assessment and the Fund makes the final decision,” Bello described the exercise as smooth and well-coordinated.
He said “The process has been very smooth. The candidates are responding well, and the quality of those interviewed so far is above average,” he said.
He said that the programme remains highly competitive, stressing that only the best candidates would emerge successful.
“If you are selected, it means you are very good. This is not a programme for average performance,
”The professor commended PTDF for sustaining the scholarship scheme for over two decades, describing its consistency as commendable in the Sub-Saharan African context.Some of the Panelist advised PTDF that
“There is a need to create more awareness so that candidates from rural areas can also benefit. Many of those we see are from urban centres,”
They emphasised the importance of well-developed research proposals, noting that candidates must demonstrate a clear understanding, preparedness, and potential impact of their studies.“You cannot come here without knowing what you want to do.
Your proposal must show depth, focus, and relevance,” For candidates, the process represents both an opportunity and a test of persistence.
One of the applicants, Atiku Birama, from Gombe State, commended the officials describing them as “friendly and transparent”. He expressed optimism for final selection.
“It is encouraging to see how seriously PTDF takes the selection process. The presence of experts and panelists makes us feel that this scholarship is truly merit-based,” he said.
Fatima Abdullahi, a candidate from Bauchi State, added, “Even if I don’t get selected, this process has boosted my confidence.
It has taught me how to present and defend One of the applicants, Musa Ibrahim a petroleum engineering graduate from the Federal University of Kashere in Gombe State, said he remained optimistic despite previous unsuccessful attempts.
Even though I’m waiting fory turn. I’m hopeful this time,” he said.Musa who is proposing research on the use of locally sourced materials to address challenges in drilling fluid systems, explained that his work aims to reduce health hazards associated with synthetic drilling fluids while promoting local content.
“If successful, this research will improve the oil and gas industry and align with PTDF’s objective of strengthening local capacity,” he noted.
The PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme offers one-year MSc and three-year PhD programmes, designed to equip Nigerians with advanced knowledge and skills for the evolving energy sector.
