News Rider:
Fund Automates Selection Process, Ensures Transparency and Fairness Across Nigeria’s Six Geopolitical Zones
Ibadan, Nigeria – Published by Inside Agwa News
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Friday, July 26, 2025
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has screened 931 candidates for its 2025/2026 Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) for master’s and doctoral degree programmes.
The South West screening exercise was held at the University of Ibadan, with 749 MSc candidates and 182 PhD hopefuls participating. The Team Lead for the 2025/26 OSS South West Zone, Mr. Masud Mohammed, confirmed the figures during an interview with journalists.
“Our assessment as a team is that the shortlisted candidates represent some of the highest quality applicants we’ve ever had. This exercise remains a core component of PTDF’s mandate to build human capacity, especially in the oil and gas sector,” Mr. Mohammed stated.
Fairness, Automation, and Federal Character
Reaffirming the Fund’s commitment to transparency and fairness, Mr. Mohammed disclosed that several safeguards had been instituted to uphold the integrity of the selection process.
“We invited the Federal Character Commission to participate and monitor the exercise. Moreover, the entire process has been automated, with real-time results available. This eliminates human bias and ensures objectivity,” he said.
While acknowledging minor scheduling delays caused by late arrivals of candidates, Mr. Mohammed noted that the team remains determined to screen every shortlisted applicant without exception.
“No candidate will be left behind. We aim to ensure that all applicants receive a fair opportunity regardless of the minor logistical hiccups,” he added.
Domestication Strategy for PhD Scholars
Mr. Mohammed also revealed a new “split-site” approach for PhD awardees. Under this model, successful candidates will complete part of their programme in Nigeria and the rest in the United Kingdom, in what he described as a step towards domesticating postgraduate training.
“This phased approach supports local capacity development while exposing candidates to global best practices abroad,” he said.
The screening exercise is being simultaneously conducted across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, further reinforcing PTDF’s commitment to national inclusivity.
Candidate Applauds Transparent Process
One of the applicants, Mr. Uchechukwu Ginika, a University of Lagos graduate, expressed gratitude and surprise at the objectivity of the process.
“This is the fairest screening I’ve ever experienced. Many of us usually assume federal programmes are reserved for the connected elite. But I don’t know anyone in government, and yet I was shortlisted. The process was transparent and gave people like me a real chance,” he said.
The PTDF’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme continues to play a pivotal role in the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, promoting human capital development through high-level training in energy-related disciplines.
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