NEWS
PTDF Screens Applicants for 5,885 Overseas Scholarship
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has commenced nationwide interviews for 5,885 shortlisted Nigerians drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for its overseas postgraduate scholarship programme.
The exercise, which commenced on Tuesday, is part of the PTDF 2026/2027 Overseas Scholarship Scheme and is being conducted simultaneously across six centres nationwide, with officials insisting that merit and federal character principles will determine the final selection.
Speaking at the kickoff of the exercise in Abuja, the Deputy General Manager, Education and Training, PTDF, Bello Mustapha, said the interviews would run from April 7 to April 17 across the six geopolitical zones.
He said, “We are here to commence the interview process for the 2026–2027 Overseas Scholarship Scheme. We just finished briefing the panelists, and the interviews have started on schedule.
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“The exercise is taking place concurrently in six centres across the country. In the North-Central, we are in Abuja; North-East, Bauchi; North-West, Kaduna; South-South, Rivers; South-East, Enugu; and South-West, Oyo.”
Findings, however, show that despite the increase in shortlisted candidates, the scheme has become more competitive compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the fund received over 29,000 applications for Master’s and PhD programmes and shortlisted about 5,000 candidates for interviews across the six geopolitical zones.
A comparison of both cycles indicates that applications rose by about 31 per cent from 29,000 in 2025 to over 38,000 in 2026. In contrast, the number of shortlisted candidates increased by a slower 17.7 per cent from 5,000 to 5,885.
This disparity has effectively reduced the selection rate, tightening candidates’ chances of making the shortlist. While about 17.2 per cent of applicants were shortlisted in 2025, the figure dropped to approximately 15.5 per cent in 2026.
“Over 38,000 people applied for this programme, but we shortlisted 5,885 candidates for the interviews. This shows how competitive the process is,” he said.
He explained that the shortlisted candidates would compete for limited slots in partner institutions across key global education destinations, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.
“We have partnerships with countries like the UK, Germany, France, and Malaysia. That is why we are conducting these interviews, to determine those who will eventually be awarded the scholarships to study in these countries,” he added.
On concerns about fairness and regional balance, Mustapha emphasised that the final selection would strictly adhere to Nigeria’s federal character principle, with monitoring by relevant authorities to ensure transparency.
“The final selection is based on federal character. Each state is allocated a certain number of slots. For instance, if three MSc slots are assigned per state, then each state will produce three successful candidates.
“However, some oil-producing states may receive additional slots. The Federal Character Commission is also involved; they send officials to monitor the process and ensure fairness,” he said.
He clarified that while candidates were free to attend interviews at any centre nationwide, the eventual selection would still reflect equitable state representation.
“You can attend your interview in any centre of your choice. Someone from the South-East can come to Abuja, or vice versa. But when it comes to final selection, federal character is applied,” he added.
Addressing the wide gap between applicants and shortlisted candidates, Mustapha said PTDF deployed a rigorous screening process based on academic performance, relevant work experience, and other measurable criteria.
“We have our own parameters. You must meet those criteria before you are invited. For example, you need a First Class, Second Class Upper, or even a Second Class Lower with relevant working experience.
“We also grade your academic records, including your O-Level results. If you have an ‘A’ in certain subjects, you get higher marks. It is the total score that determines who is shortlisted,” he explained.
He, however, declined to state the exact number of eventual awardees, noting that the figure would depend on available funding.
“The number of successful candidates will depend on the budget. Management will determine that based on the financial provisions available,” he said.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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