The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) says the establishment of the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna, will help reduce the cost of its overseas scholarship programme by expanding local postgraduate training.
A PTDF official, Sirajo Abdullahi-Fari, disclosed this during the screening of candidates for the 2026/2027 Overseas Scholarship Scheme in Bauchi. He said the new college would run postgraduate programmes in science, petroleum technology, law, and management to strengthen local expertise.
According to him, the institution will operate through transnational partnerships, allowing students to receive local mentorship while gaining exposure to partner universities in the United Kingdom, including University of Strathclyde, Robert Gordon University, and University of Portsmouth.
Abdullahi-Fari added that PTDF currently sponsors training in universities across the United Kingdom, France, China, Malaysia, and Germany to build capacity in Nigeria’s oil, gas, and energy sector.
He said 424 candidates were being screened at the North-East centre, noting that the exercise is taking place simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones, with final selection based on merit and federal character principles.
A member of the selection panel, Abubakar Musa-Umar, said applicants are being assessed on academic performance, research potential, and relevant experience.
One of the candidates, Atiku Berama, described the process as fair and transparent.
