PTDF Screens 151 South-East Candidates for 2025/2026 Overseas Scholarship Scheme
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has completed the screening of 151 shortlisted candidates from Nigeria’s South-East region for its 2025/2026 Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) for MSc and PhD studies.
The three-day exercise, which began on Wednesday and concluded on Friday, took place at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.
Speaking with the media, Mr. Uche Ikoku, Manager of the Centre for Skills and Development, PTDF Port Harcourt, stated that the screening evaluated the candidates’ academic credentials, research proposals, and professional affiliations.
He noted that the selected applicants were drawn from the five South-East states and were shortlisted based on their potential contributions to the oil and gas sector.
Ikoku emphasized that the PTDF OSS is widely recognized for its transparency, fairness, and rigorous selection process.
According to him, the screening panel comprised professionals from both academia and the energy sector, whose expertise was instrumental in assessing candidates across various disciplines, including Geology, Engineering, Management, and Environmental Sciences areas the PTDF has identified as critical to bridging manpower gaps in the oil and gas industry.
“The process has been seamless,” Ikoku said. “Panel members are meeting bright, intelligent Nigerians with remarkable potential.”
Several candidates also shared their experiences, describing the screening as smooth and relevant.
Mr. Henry Udeh, a PhD applicant with a proposal titled “Explaining Impact of Environmental Changes on Groundwater Quality and Aquifer Vulnerability,” praised the process as “hitch-free.”
Miss Kenechukwu Ifediora, whose research explores “Machine Learning Application for Sustainable Economic Principles and Bioengineering Remediation in Waste Management within the Oil and Gas Sector,” said her project aims to drive impactful change in Nigeria’s environmental and energy landscape.
The PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme is aimed at developing skilled manpower for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry through advanced education and research opportunities abroad. Out of over 29,000 applications received nationwide, 5,723 candidates have advanced to the interview stage, with the current screening marking a key phase in the selection process.
