If you’re a Nigerian student seeking financial aid for your studies, you’re in the right place. The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) offers various scholarships to support students pursuing undergraduate, masters, and doctoral studies both locally and internationally. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the application process, eligibility criteria, required documents, and tips for a successful application.
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) is the Federal Government Agency tasked with fostering the development of domestic human resources and petroleum technology to satisfy the demands of the oil and gas sector.
PTDF Scholarships 2024/2025
PTDF scholarships aim to develop indigenous human capacity and capability in the petroleum industry. They cover a wide range of disciplines including Engineering, Geosciences, Environmental Studies, Law, Economics, and Management Sciences. These scholarships are highly competitive and awarded based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to contributing to the development of Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
PTDF offers two categories of scholarships for Nigerian Students:
- PTDF In-Country Scholarship Scheme (ISS)
- PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS)
PTDF In-Country Scholarship Scheme (ISS)
Through the PTDF In-Country Scholarship Scheme (ISS), the fund offers Undergraduate, Masters and PhD scholarships for students in Nigerian Federal Universities. There are over 30 eligible universities for the PTDF In-Country Scholarship program in Nigeria. The best ten amongst them are:
- Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto Nigeria
- University of Port Harcourt Nigeria
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka Nigeria
- University of Maiduguri Nigeria
- University of Lagos, Akoka Nigeria
- University of Jos Nigeria
- University of Ilorin Nigeria
- University of Calabar Nigeria
- University of Benin Nigeria
- University of Abuja, Gwagwalada
Scholarship Benefits
Selected candidates will enjoy a wide range of benefits, including:
- Full tuition fees coverage.
- An annual stipend to cover living expenses.
- Research and project grants.
- Access to mentorship and career development programs.
- Opportunities for industrial attachment and internships with leading oil and gas companies.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the PTDF In-Country Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be Nigerian citizens.
- Possess a minimum of five credits in relevant subjects, including English and Mathematics, in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or its equivalent.
- Have secured admission into a federal university in Nigeria for an undergraduate or postgraduate program in petroleum-related fields.
- Candidates must be a 200 level student of study program associated with the oil and gas sector.
- Must have attained a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 5-scale or 3.0 on a 4-scale, or 2.2 in the first year.
- Must submit duly signed transcripts for the first year of study.
Required Documents for PTDF In-Country Undergraduate Scholarship
- Copies of WAEC/SSCE/NECO results with at least 5 credits, including English Language and Mathematics (not more than 2 sittings).
- Letter of admission into the Federal University.
- First year academic transcript(s) duly signed and stamped by HOD/Exams Officer or any authorized personnel.
- State of origin and Local Government (Certificate of indigeneship)
- Personal statement of at least 300 words stating reasons for undertaking the course of study.
Required Documents for PTDF In-Country Postgraduate Scholarship
- First Degree Certificate or Statement of Result.
- NYSC Certificate or letter of exemption.
- WAEC/GCE/SSCE/NECO Result(s).
- Admission Letter.
- Personal Statement (only MSc applicants).
- Certificate of indigeneship (evidence of state of origin and Local Government).
- Second Degree Certificate or Statement of Result (for PhD applicants).
- PhD research proposal (The proposal template can be accessed via the applicant’s profile on the PTDF Scholarship Management Portal)
Application Deadline
The PTDF Scholarship portal opens for application Monday May 13th and closes on Monday June 24th, 2024.
How to Apply
To start your application scan copies of your documents in pdf and attach to the online application forms
Visit PTDF Nigerian Scholarship portal at scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng to fill the form and upload your scanned documents including a passport photo.
Further instructions on the PTDF In-Country Scholarship program, full list of eligible universities, PhD research proposal template and guidelines for obtaining the application form can be accessed on the PTDF Scholarship Management Portal above or visit https://ptdf.gov.ng/application-for-2023-2024-petroleum-technology-development-fund-ptdf-in-country-scholarship-scheme-iss-for-undergraduate-postgraduate-scholars-in-nigerian-federal-universities/
PTDF Overseas Postgraduate Scholarships
The PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) is a Strategic Partnership between the Nigerian Government and the Governments of United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia (GFM) for Nigerian Students to study in some selected prestigious universities in these countries. The PTDF OSS is a fully funded scholarship that covers both MSc and PhD programs.
The purpose of the PTDF Overseas Scholarship Program is to develop local talent for the Nigerian oil and gas sector. All travel tickets, health insurance, tuition, bench fees (if any), and living expenses are fully covered by the scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a PTDF scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Nigerian citizenship
- Possession of the necessary academic qualifications for the desired program of study
- Admission into a relevant institution of higher learning, either in Nigeria or overseas
- Not more than 30 years of age for MSc applicants and 40 years of age for PhD applicants
- NYSC discharge certificate or exemption letter for MSc applicants
- Minimum of second class lower division for undergraduates and second class upper division for postgraduates
Application Process
- Register Online: Visit the official PTDF scholarship portal to register and create an account. An email containing login and password-setting instructions will be sent to the email address you provided.
- Login: Use your email address as the username and the password you created following the instructions sent to your email address, to login to your dashboard.
- NIN Verification: Once login in, click on “Verify NIN” button to synchronize your details from NIMC before you start a new application.
- Complete Application Form: Fill out the online application form with accurate and detailed information.
- Upload Documents: Prepare and upload the required documents, including academic transcripts, admission letters, NYSC certificate, and passport photograph.
- Submit Application: Review your application to ensure all information is correct, then submit it online.
- Selection Process: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for aptitude tests and interviews.
Required Documents
- Academic transcripts
- Admission letter from a recognized institution
- NYSC discharge certificate or exemption letter (for MSc applicants)
- Passport photograph
- Birth certificate.
- National identification card
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Research proposal (for PhD applicants)
Tips for a Successful Application
- Start the application process early to avoid last-minute rush.
- Double-check all documents for accuracy and completeness before submission.
- Write a compelling personal statement highlighting your academic achievements, career goals, and commitment to the development of the petroleum industry.
- Obtain strong letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees who can attest to your abilities and character.
- Prepare thoroughly for aptitude tests and interviews by familiarizing yourself with the scholarship requirements and practicing sample questions.
Selection Procedure
Scholarships from the PTDF are extremely competitive, and only the best applicants are chosen. The best candidates in each state’s category will be contacted for interviews after submitting their qualifications. A selection committee will then be assembled to review the applications based on the following standards:
- Academic merit demonstrated by the caliber of degrees obtained, complete academic transcripts, and other professional credentials obtained.
- Relevant publications that applicants (only those seeking PhDs) must cite.
- Participation in professional associations
- The feasibility and pertinence of the research/study design.
- Historical research’s applicability to the oil and gas sector and the suggested path of study
The PTDF OSS Successful Awardees will be published on the PTDF Scholarship portal at www.scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng
Application Deadline
Submission of application for PTDF Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship ends on Monday, 18th March, 2024