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.
Fully funded
The overseas scheme is fully funded — it covers the major costs of postgraduate study abroad, making it one of Nigeria's most generous government scholarships.
The benefits
- Tuition and bench fees (where applicable).
- Monthly living/accommodation allowance.
- Research allowance (lab, fieldwork, materials).
- Return economy flights (Nigeria ↔ host country).
- Health insurance.
Living allowance
A monthly stipend covers accommodation, feeding and daily living in the host country, so you can focus on study.
Research allowance
Funding for research-related expenses — laboratory costs, fieldwork and academic materials relevant to your programme.
In-Country benefits
The In-Country scheme provides support for study within Nigeria; the exact package differs from the overseas award — confirm details on the portal.
Tips
- Overseas award is comprehensive.
- Includes flights & health insurance.
- Confirm the current package per cycle.
The full funding package
PTDF scholarships are fully funded, which for a postgraduate degree abroad is transformative. The package typically includes:
- Full tuition paid to the university.
- Accommodation and return airfare/travel.
- A monthly living stipend for day-to-day expenses.
- Health insurance, and for research degrees, a research/thesis allowance.
In short, it's designed so a selected scholar can complete their degree without a personal funding gap.
Overseas vs local coverage
The exact package depends on the scheme. Overseas awards naturally include international elements — airfare, overseas accommodation, and a stipend pitched to living costs in the UK, Germany, France or Malaysia. Local awards at Nigerian institutions (including CPESK) cover tuition and relevant costs within Nigeria. The principle is the same — remove the financial barrier — but the components scale to where you study. Always read the current cycle's advert for the precise benefits offered.
What it doesn't cover
A fully-funded scholarship still has edges worth knowing. It funds your approved programme, so costs outside it — a change to an unapproved course, dependants' travel and upkeep, or personal expenses beyond the stipend — generally fall on you. The stipend is a living allowance, not a salary. And because the funding is tied to your approved course and conduct, you're expected to complete the programme and honour the scheme's terms (including any bonding/return-of-service conditions where they apply). Read the offer terms carefully so there are no surprises.
Frequently asked questions
What does the PTDF overseas scholarship cover?
Full tuition and bench fees (where applicable), a monthly living allowance, a research allowance, return economy flights, and health insurance — a fully-funded award.
Does PTDF pay a living allowance?
Yes — a monthly stipend covers accommodation, feeding and daily living in the host country.
Does PTDF cover flights?
Yes — return economy-class flights between Nigeria and the host country are included in the overseas award.
Is there a research allowance?
Yes — funding for research-related expenses such as laboratory costs, fieldwork and academic materials.
What does the In-Country scheme cover?
It provides support for study within Nigeria; the exact package differs from the overseas award — confirm details on the portal.
What does the PTDF scholarship cover?
It's fully funded — typically full tuition, accommodation, return airfare/travel, a monthly living stipend, health insurance, and (for research degrees) a research allowance. It's designed so a selected scholar can complete their degree without a personal funding gap.
Does the PTDF scholarship cover accommodation and flights?
Yes, for the overseas scheme the package typically includes accommodation and return airfare/travel, alongside tuition and a living stipend. Local awards cover tuition and relevant costs within Nigeria.
Is there a monthly living stipend?
Yes — a monthly living allowance for day-to-day expenses, pitched to the cost of living where you study. It's a stipend to cover living costs, not a salary.
Does the PTDF scholarship cover research costs?
For research degrees (and PhDs), the package typically includes a research or thesis allowance in addition to tuition, accommodation and stipend. Check the exact benefits in the current cycle's advert.
Is there anything the PTDF scholarship doesn't cover?
It funds your approved programme, so costs outside it — an unapproved course change, dependants' travel/upkeep, or personal expenses beyond the stipend — generally fall on you. You're also expected to complete the programme and honour the scheme's terms.