Di Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) don begin interview for 5,885 Nigerians wey dem shortlist for dia 2026/2027 Overseas Scholarship Scheme. Di process dey hold for six centers across di kontri, from April 7 reach April 17. Na big competition dis one o, because over 38,000 pipo apply, but only dis 5,885 make am to di interview stage.
For Enugu center wey dey University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 173 candidates from di Southeast dey face panel. Afam Ikwuemesi, wey be Team Lead for di Southeast interview, talk say di scheme na to train professionals for Nigeria oil and gas sector. Him yarn say di scholarship focus on MSc and PhD programmes for UK, Germany, Malaysia, and oda European kontris.
“We wan bridge di gap between expatriates and our own professionals,” Ikwuemesi talk. “Na why we dey assess candidates based on dia qualifications, research proposal, and how dem fit explain dia ideas well.” Him add say past beneficiaries don dey do well for abroad, and di process dey transparent because of PTDF ICT system wey dey verify credentials.
Professor Ifeanyi Oha from UNN Geology Department, wey be one of di panelists, describe di exercise as smooth. “Di candidates dey respond well, and dia quality above average,” him talk. But him warn say na only di best go win. “If you selec, you too good. Dis one no be for average performance.”
Anoda panelist, Dr. Arize Stella Ndidi from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, talk say di interview dey okay but dem need make awareness reach rural areas. “Many candidates we dey see na from urban centers. We need make pipo for village sabi about dis opportunity,” she talk. She emphasize say research proposal must show depth and relevance.
For candidates side, na hope and persistence dey work. Solomon Eke, petroleum engineering graduate from FUTO, say dis na him third attempt. “I dey hopeful dis time,” him talk. Him research proposal focus on using local materials for drilling fluid systems, to reduce health hazards and promote local content.
For Abuja, PTDF Deputy General Manager for Education and Training, Dr. Bello Mustapha, explain di nationwide process. Him talk say interview dey hold for Abuja (North-Central), Bauchi (North-East), Kaduna (North-West), Rivers (South-South), Enugu (South-East), and Oyo (South-West).
Mustapha yarn say di selection go follow federal character principle. “Each state go get at least three slots for MSc programme,” him talk. “But oil-producing states fit get extra slots.” Him add say Federal Character Commission dey monitor di process to ensure fairness.
On requirements, Mustapha talk say candidates must be Nigerians with first class, second class upper, or second class lower with work experience. School certificate grades also dey count. But on how many go eventually win, him talk say budget go decide. “Management go decide based on di money wey dey available,” him talk.
Di competition don increase from last year. For 2025, about 5,000 candidates shortlist from over 29,000 applicants. Dis year, 5,885 shortlist from over 38,000 applicants, meaning di selection rate drop from 17.2% to 15.5%.
Maria Ochanya Ogbe from Benue State, wey dey eye Masters in Industrial Biotechnology, talk say she dey satisfied with di process. Anoda candidate, wey no mention him name, talk say him shortlist without any connection. “I even hear about di interview from hearsay,” him talk.
Di scholarship na one-year for MSc and three-year for PhD, to equip Nigerians with advanced knowledge for energy sector. Di interview panels consist of experts wey dey examine candidates’ proposals, especially for PhD applicants, to see how dem fit address current challenges for oil and gas industry.
As di interview dey progress across di six zones, thousands of young Nigerians dey wait with hope. Di process, though competitive, represent opportunity for dem to gain world-class training and contribute to Nigeria’s energy future. PTDF don run dis scheme for over twenty years, and officials dey emphasize say only merit and transparency go guide di final selection.
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