PTDF Prioritises Energy Transition, AI For 2026 Overseas Scholarships

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has identified energy transition, renewable energy, climate change, and artificial intelligence (AI) as priority disciplines for shortlisting candidates for its 2026 Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS).

Mrs. Bolanle Agboola, PTDF’s Head of Human Resources and team lead for the South-West OSS selection exercise, made the disclosure on Thursday during the screening of shortlisted candidates in Ibadan. She explained that the fund is aligning its human capital development interventions with emerging global trends in the energy sector.

“While PTDF remains committed to core petroleum-related disciplines, we are increasingly focusing on new and emerging areas shaping the energy industry,” Agboola said.

She added that PTDF continues to support academic fields relevant to oil and gas, including engineering, geological sciences, environmental studies, energy studies, management, law, computing, and IT-related disciplines.

“The Overseas Scholarship remains a flagship intervention to build indigenous capacity for Nigeria’s energy sector, enabling talented Nigerians to pursue advanced studies abroad and return with knowledge and skills to strengthen the industry,” she said.

Agboola disclosed that 38,399 applications were received for the 2026 scholarship scheme, which began in February, with no fewer than 500 candidates shortlisted from the South-West centre in Ibadan. She noted that the exercise is being conducted simultaneously across six centres in the country’s geopolitical zones.

Candidates are expected to return to Nigeria after their studies to contribute to the nation’s energy and petroleum sector. “The federal government invests significantly in sending these students abroad, and we expect them to return and deploy their expertise,” Agboola said.

She also warned candidates against unethical practices such as certificate forgery or impersonation, noting that anyone caught would face prosecution. “Last year, about 10 people were caught in Abuja. We have equipment to verify authenticity, and forgery is a criminal offence in Nigeria,” she said.

Prof. Wasiu Raji of the University of Ilorin, a panel member, described the shortlisted candidates as “top-notch,” praising the rigorous and fair selection process.

Two candidates, Miss Temitope Ashade of Afe Babalola University and Mr. Malik Muhammed of the University of Ilorin, commended the smooth conduct of the exercise, saying they would maximise the opportunity to study abroad and return to contribute to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Out of 6,211 candidates shortlisted, 921 are for master’s programmes and 298 for PhD programmes.