PTDF Interviews Over 5,000 Shortlisted Candidates For Overseas Scholarship
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has interviewed about 5,000 MSc and PhD candidates shortlisted for the 2025/2026 Overseas Scholarship Scheme.
The physical Interview exercise for shortlisted candidates which was held on Monday simultaneously across the six-geopolitical zones of the country, was carried out to assess the suitability of the candidates for the programme.
Addressing journalists during the interview exercise at the PTDF Tower in Abuja, the Head, Overseas Scholarship Scheme, PTDF, Mrs. Bolanle Kehinde Agboola, disclosed that about 5,000 applicants were shortlisted out of the over 29,000 that applied for the scholarship.
Speaking on the transparent nature of the programme, she said: “the scheme has been going on for about 25 years now, and over the years PTDF is known for its integrity, transparency and fairness in the award of the scholarship.
“We have different stages of shortlisting which are very rigorous and robust. When the application window opens, we already have a system in place electronically that will allocate points based on the information that the students put in the application forms.
“When the points are allocated, we physically check the information that has been put in the application form with the certificates that are uploaded.
“For instance, if somebody fills in his application form that he has a 2.1, we want to know if actually the certificate that he uploaded is a 2.1. Sometimes, people want to play smart, they put that 2.1, but at the end of the day maybe it is a Third Class.
“When that is done, then we shortlist based on our criteria that we have already set, and then we have the oral interview, like what we are having today.”
While affirming that the 27 panelists were drawn from the oil and gas industry and the academia, Mrs. Agboola noted that the number of candidates that would be awarded the scholarship would not be ascertained, as it is based on management decision.
Earlier, while addressing the panelists, the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Aminu Galadima, urged them to shun favoritism and be transparent in the conduct of the exercise.
Galadima who was represented by the Deputy General Manager, Education and Training, Mr Bello Mohammed, said the Fund has developed strategic partnership in France, Uk, Germany and Malaysia where the beneficiaries of the scholarship awards would be trained.
The PTDF boss said no candidate is allowed to send a representative for the interview exercise without prior notice to the Fund.
The Fund said scores would be awarded only to subjects that are relevant to the course of study overseas.
A candidate, Usman Auwal from Kano State, who applied for MSc in International Commercial Law at the University of Nottingham, said the exercise was smooth and transparent.
Another candidate, Elohoh Ewherido from Delta State, who applied for MSc in International Business Management said, “the process was very transparent and easy to apply.”
On his part, Oluwatobi Emmanuel from Ogun State, who applied for MSc in Energy and Sustainability, said “the process was smooth and seamless.”
The PTDF has the mandate of developing indigenous human capacity to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry.
