The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has commenced selection interviews for PhD applicants under its 2026/2027 Overseas Scholarship Scheme in Port Harcourt, marking a renewed effort to enhance Nigeria’s technical capacity in the oil and gas sector.

The Fund targets 2,102 PhD applicants across Nigeria. The screening exercise, currently being held at the Centre for Skills Development and Training, is part of a nationwide process across the six geo-political zones, aimed at identifying top-tier candidates equipped to tackle the industry’s evolving challenges.

Speaking during the exercise, Deputy Manager, Internal Audit Division at PTDF, Obonin Ogiri-Daddy, said the initiative underscores the Fund’s commitment to building a highly skilled workforce for Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

He disclosed that PTDF has now adopted a split-site PhD structure, replacing the traditional full overseas model.

Under the new arrangement, successful candidates will spend one year studying abroad and complete the remaining two years in Nigeria, a move designed to strike a balance between global exposure and local relevance.

“Our mandate goes beyond overseas training. The Overseas Scholarship Scheme remains a flagship platform to equip Nigerians with the expertise required to thrive in the dynamic oil and gas sector,” he said.

Candidates are being evaluated across key disciplines, including engineering, geosciences, management, and other related fields, with the entire application process conducted online.

Ogiri-Daddy emphasised that the selection process is strictly merit-based, transparent, and guided by the federal character principle to ensure fair representation from all states, noting that it remains free from external influence.