The Federal Government has launched the 2025/2026 in-country scholarship scheme, administered by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), targeting undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in oil and gas-related disciplines across Nigerian universities. The portal opened on Monday, April 20, 2026, and will remain accessible until Friday, May 29, 2026 — a six-week window within which all eligible candidates must complete and submit their applications via the official PTDF scholarship portal.
The scheme is designed to deepen local technical capacity, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign expertise, and strengthen human capital development within the country’s energy sector.
About the PTDF in-country scholarship scheme
The PTDF in-country scholarship is a programme distinct from the Fund’s overseas scholarship offering. It is specifically structured to support tertiary-level education within Nigeria, and typically covers tuition, stipends, and learning resources for successful candidates. Beneficiaries are selected on merit, with the relevance of the proposed course of study to national development priorities serving as a key selection criterion.
Approved courses span engineering and allied disciplines across Nigerian universities with established ties to the oil and gas sector. The initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to build institutional capacity within the energy industry, develop homegrown technical expertise, and reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign professionals in oil and gas operations.
How to apply for the 2025/2026 PTDF in-country scholarship
The PTDF has outlined a structured ten-step application process. Candidates are advised to follow each stage carefully to avoid errors that may affect their final submission.
Step 1: Create an account
Visit the PTDF scholarship portal and register by providing your personal details. A confirmation email containing login credentials and password-setup instructions will be sent upon successful registration.
Step 2: Log in to the portal
Access the application dashboard using your registered email address and the password created during registration.
Step 3: Verify your NIN
National Identification Number (NIN) verification is mandatory before the application form becomes accessible. PTDF cautions applicants against repeating failed verification attempts, as doing so may attract multiple charges. Any NIN-related issues should be channelled through the designated support contact provided on the portal.
Step 4: Accept the disclaimer and terms
Read and formally accept the programme’s disclaimer and terms and conditions before proceeding. Declining these terms will automatically terminate the application session.
Step 5: Fill in the application form
Complete all sections of the application form with accurate information, ensuring that all file uploads conform to the specified format requirements before proceeding to the next stage.
Step 6: Select your course and institution
Indicate up to three preferred universities and courses in order of preference. Postgraduate applicants are additionally required to upload a statement of purpose (for MSc candidates) or a research proposal (for PhD candidates).
Step 7: Upload required documents
The following documents are mandatory for all applicants:
- Academic certificates
- Birth certificate
- Local government identification
All files must be submitted in PDF format and must not exceed 300KB in size.
Step 8: Upload additional credentials
Where applicable, applicants may submit supporting documents such as professional membership certificates and academic publications. A specified limit applies to the number of additional credentials accepted per application.
Step 9: Review your application
Thoroughly preview the completed application to identify and correct any inaccuracies before proceeding to final submission. This stage is the last opportunity to make amendments.
Step 10: Submit your application
Once submitted, applications are final and cannot be edited or withdrawn. Applicants are strongly advised to verify the accuracy of all information before completing this step.
Application deadline: Friday, May 29, 2026 Portal: https://scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng