By Oluseye Ojo
Five thousand, seven hundred and thirty-three young Nigerians are currently jostling for the 2024 postgraduate overseas scholarship scheme of the Petroleum Technology Development Funds (PTDF) across the six geo-political zones of the country.
The 5,733 candidates were shortlisted for MSc and PhD postgraduate programmes from the over 16,000 applicants for the scholarship to study in various universities in Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Malaysia. The candidates underwent oral interviews across the six geo-political zones of the country this week and are awaiting the outcome of the screening exercise.
The Team Lead of the PTDF scholarship interview in the South West Zone, Mr. Tajudeen Ibiyeye, during an encounter with journalists at the Ibadan Centre, which served the six states in the region, stated that the successful candidates would be the best across each state of the federation.
He added that a total of 953 candidates were shortlisted in the South West Zone, where screening was held for the them at the Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Technology Development, University of Ibadan. He listed the areas of training to include Geology, Engineering, Sciences, Environmental Studies, Renewable Energy, Information Technology and offshore-related courses.
Ibiyeye urged candidates that would be picked for the scholarship to return to the country after their studies abroad in order to utilise the knowledge that would be gained during their studies abroad for the betterment of Nigeria, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
Dr. Nuru Makushi, a past beneficiary of the PTDF overseas scholarship for his masters and doctorate programmes, who was among the panelists for the interview, said the scholarship is germane to reducing the country’s reliance on expatriates and foreigners in the renewable energy and oil and gas sectors.
Adedapo Idowu, an applicant for the MSc programme, commended the seamless and transparent nature of the selection process, expressing confidence in the panel’s ability to identify the best candidates.