Abuja: The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has commenced the second phase of interviews for 2026/2027 PhD award under its Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS), targeting 2,102 PhD applicants across Nigeria.
Speaking during the screening on Monday in Abuja, Dr Bello Mustapha, Deputy General Manager, Education and Training, PTDF, said the ongoing exercise followed the completion of MSc interviews conducted in four centres nationwide.
According to him, Abuja accounts for 912 candidates, scheduled for interviews over a five-day period, out of the 2,102 shortlisted nationwide.
Mustapha said the selection process followed the Federal Character principle, ensuring that candidates compete within their respective states and that top-performing applicants emerged based on merit.
He said the number of successful candidates to be awarded scholarships would depend solely on budgetary provisions, with final decisions made by PTDF management after the interview process.
The PTDF official also disclosed that while the UK remains a destination for MSc scholars, the Fund has domesticated its PhD programme through a split-site arrangement with partner universities, with candidates spending part of their studies abroad.
Other countries in the scheme are Malaysia, Germany, and France.
He added that the Fund received over 30,000 applications for postgraduate scholarships, with about 5,800 candidates shortlisted.
A delegation from the Federal Character Commission (FCC) was on the ground to monitor the ongoing PTDF 2026/2027 Scholarship selection for fairness.
During a monitoring visit, the State Coordinator of the commission, Mr John Uchara, accompanied by the Commissioner representing Benue State, Prof. Eugene Aleba, lauded PTDF for demonstrating compliance with federal character principles in the ongoing exercise.
Uchara said the commission aims to ensure transparency, equity, and balance in the process, addressing concerns over marginalisation and imbalance in opportunities.
“The exercise is open to candidates from all states of the federation, reinforcing inclusiveness in the selection process.
“Our duty is to ensure that what is being done here reflects the federal character principles, to avoid complaints from any part of Nigeria.
“From what we have seen, there is serious compliance with the principles. However, the final assessment will be based on the overall intake and how well it reflects national balance,” he said.
The FCC official, while reaffirming its commitment to continuous monitoring to ensure fairness and transparency, urged PTDF to consider expanding the programme’s scope to accommodate more qualified applicants.
A panellist at the ongoing interviews, Prof. Bashir Aliyu, from Modibbo Adama University, Yola, described the quality of candidates as highly impressive, noting that the process was progressing smoothly and transparently.
“We have started the interviews very well, and the exercise is progressing smoothly with candidates demonstrating strong academic and research potential.
The panel primarily assesses the candidate’s quality, academic background, research capacity, and the relevance of the proposed PhD work to national development.
“We look at their first degree, their master’s performance, their ability, and the quality of the work they present, especially in terms of innovation, potential for patenting, and usefulness to the country,” he explained.
He said while preliminary screening, such as verification of academic records and credentials, had already been conducted by PTDF, the panel’s role was to evaluate the strength and originality of candidates’ PhD proposals, as well as their professional conduct and research experience.
On the integrity of the process, Aliyu disclosed that PTDF has put in place robust verification mechanisms, including document authentication and checks on publications, to ensure only credible candidates are selected.
A candidate, Tanko Fwadwabea, a Chemical Engineer, said his proposed PhD research would focus on process simulation for blue hydrogen production, aiming to add value to Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources while reducing carbon emissions.
He added that he is optimistic about the scholarship opportunity, saying, “This scholarship would enable me to realise my research ambitions and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s energy future.”
A returning candidate, Cornelia Collins-Onoha, a geosciences-based researcher, expressed optimism and said her proposed PhD study focuses on the spread and persistence of antimicrobial-resistant genes in aquatic environments, particularly in communities affected by oil pollution.
Collins-Onoha shared her previous experience: “I was here in 2025 but didn’t make the final list. However, I remain hopeful that this time around it will work out. This year, the process is prompter and more structured.”
She expressed confidence that “My research and determination will contribute meaningfully to both environmental sustainability and public health in Nigeria.”
