Please note
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with PTDF or the Federal Government. This is general information, not official scholarship advice — apply only via the official portal (scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng). Deadlines and details change every cycle, and PTDF won’t ask you to pay an agent — always confirm on the official portal.
Oil & gas focus
PTDF exists to build Nigerian human capacity for the oil and gas industry, so scholarships are for oil & gas related fields — not general study.
Example fields
Eligible areas typically include (confirm on the portal):
- Petroleum engineering and related engineering disciplines (chemical, mechanical, electrical, civil, marine, etc.).
- Geosciences — geology, geophysics, petroleum geoscience.
- Energy and related technology, environment and management fields tied to the sector.
Always the sponsored list
The definitive answer is PTDF's list of sponsored courses for the current cycle, published on scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng. Only courses on that list qualify.
Choosing your course
Pick a course that's both on the sponsored list and matches your background and career goals in the sector — and, for PhD, aligns with PTDF/CPESK research areas.
If your field isn't oil & gas
If your discipline isn't covered, look at other scholarships and student grants — many are field-agnostic.
Tips
- Confirm your course is on the sponsored list.
- Match it to your background & goals.
- Non-oil field? Other scholarships exist.
The oil and gas focus
Everything about PTDF flows from its mandate: developing indigenous capacity and technology for Nigeria's oil and gas industry. That's why the scholarship isn't a general one — it funds fields that contribute to the petroleum and energy sector and to national development. Understanding this focus is the key to a successful application: your course and your Statement of Purpose should clearly connect to the industry PTDF exists to serve.
Fields that typically qualify
The scheme covers a broad set of technical and scientific fields tied to the sector, commonly including:
- Petroleum, chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering
- Geosciences / geology and geophysics
- Physics, environmental science and related sciences
- Selected energy, technology and management areas relevant to oil and gas
The exact approved courses vary by cycle and partner institution, so always check the current advert's approved-course list before choosing.
The relevance rule
One rule catches out many applicants: your proposed course must be relevant to the oil and gas industry and to your previous studies. PTDF may disqualify candidates who apply for programmes unrelated to the mandate, or that don't build on their first degree. So a mechanical engineer applying for an oil-and-gas-relevant Master's is on solid ground; someone switching to an unrelated field is not. Make the link explicit in your Statement of Purpose, and pick a course that both fits the mandate and follows logically from your background.
Frequently asked questions
What fields does the PTDF scholarship cover?
Oil & gas related fields — typically petroleum and related engineering, geosciences (geology, geophysics), and energy/technology fields tied to the sector. Only courses on PTDF's sponsored list qualify.
Can I study any subject with PTDF?
No — PTDF funds oil & gas related study; the definitive list of eligible courses is published on the portal each cycle.
Is petroleum engineering eligible?
Yes — petroleum engineering and related engineering disciplines are typically eligible; confirm the specific course on the sponsored list.
How do I know if my course qualifies?
Check PTDF's list of sponsored courses for the current cycle on scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng — only listed courses qualify.
What if my field isn't covered by PTDF?
Look at other scholarships and student grants, many of which are field-agnostic — see our student grants guide.
What fields does PTDF fund?
Fields relevant to Nigeria's oil and gas industry — commonly petroleum, chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering, geosciences/geology, physics, environmental science, and selected energy, technology and management areas. Exact approved courses vary by cycle and institution.
Is the PTDF scholarship only for petroleum engineering?
No — it covers a broad range of technical and scientific fields tied to the oil and gas sector, from various engineering disciplines to geosciences and environmental science. The common thread is relevance to the industry, not one specific course.
Can I study a non-oil field with PTDF?
Generally no. The scholarship is tied to PTDF's oil-and-gas mandate, and applying for a programme unrelated to the sector is a common reason for disqualification. Your course should clearly contribute to the petroleum and energy industry.
Does my PTDF course need to match my first degree?
Yes. Your proposed course must be relevant both to the oil and gas industry and to your previous studies — it should build logically on your first degree. Make that link explicit in your Statement of Purpose.
What field choices get disqualified?
Programmes unrelated to the oil and gas mandate, or that don't build on your prior studies, risk disqualification. Choose a course that both fits the sector and follows from your academic background.