By Adamu Yusuf
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has continued its selection process for overseas scholarship beneficiaries, with interviews for PhD candidates entering the second phase in Kaduna.
The Head of Information Technology at PTDF, Professor AbdulKadir Hamid Alkali, who is overseeing the Kaduna Zone interviews for the second batch of PhD applicants, provided an overview of the ongoing exercise.
According to him, the PTDF scholarship scheme is designed to support qualified Nigerians in acquiring advanced knowledge in oil and gas-related fields at both MSc and PhD levels.
He explained that the selection process begins with the verification of candidates’ academic credentials, including MSc certificates and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge or exemption letters.
“Successful applicants are then shortlisted and invited to participate in interviews at designated centres across the country,” he said.
Professor Alkali noted that six physical interview centres have been established in Kaduna, Bauchi, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Enugu, and Abuja, alongside a virtual option for candidates unable to attend in person.
“This week is dedicated to PhD candidates who selected Kaduna as their preferred interview venue,” he added.
Professor AbdulKadir Alkali further stated that the exercise aligns with PTDF’s core mandate of developing skilled manpower for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“Beneficiaries are sponsored to reputable institutions abroad to acquire cutting-edge knowledge and return to contribute to national development”.
The PTDF official also highlighted recent innovations in the programme, including the introduction of a split-site PhD model under the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies.
“The initiative allows students to study partly in Nigeria and partly in the United Kingdom, fostering collaboration between local and international academic institutions,” he explained.
“This approach not only benefits the students but also enhances the capacity of Nigerian lecturers through direct engagement with their international counterparts,” he added.
On impact, Professor Alkali revealed that over 2,800 Nigerians have benefited from the PTDF scholarship scheme at MSc and PhD levels since its inception, excluding other training programmes.
He noted that many beneficiaries are now contributing significantly across universities, research institutions, and the broader oil and gas industry.
Addressing concerns about transparency, he explained that the process involves independent consultants drawn from various institutions, with panels of three assessors evaluating each candidate.
Also speaking, a Director with the Federal Character Commission, Kaduna State Office, Alhaji Dalhat Yusuf Ibrahim, commended the transparency and credibility of the ongoing selection process.
He disclosed that the Commission is monitoring the exercise to ensure fairness and compliance with federal character principles in the distribution of opportunities across the country.
According to him, the Master’s programme selection had been concluded the previous week, while the PhD exercise is currently underway, with the monitoring team ensuring strict adherence to due process.
He added that, based on interactions with PTDF officials and the Commissioner, the entire procedure from application to shortlisting and interviews has been conducted with a high level of professionalism and transparency.
Also in an interview, an Associate Professor of Cybersecurity at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Dr. Aloolu Duelu-Fungsho, described the selection process as credible and merit-driven.
Dr. Duelu-Fungsho, who is serving as a panelist, noted that while some candidates demonstrated strong mastery of their subject areas, overall performance was moderate.
Dr. Duelu-Fungsho explained that the selection process is guided by robust assessment mechanisms to ensure fairness, adding that candidates are evaluated based on their ability to contribute to knowledge, provide practical solutions to challenges in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, and align with global development goals.
She further stated that panelists also support applicants by refining their research proposals to ensure feasibility and relevance, with the ultimate goal of producing globally competitive researchers whose work will have meaningful local impact.
Meanwhile, a postgraduate researcher in Computer Science, Muhammad Haruna Jumare, highlighted the growing relevance of automation and robotics in modern technological advancement.
Jumare, who holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, explained that his research focuses on developing intelligent systems capable of improving efficiency, accuracy, and productivity across various sectors, including industry and public services.
He noted that the application of robotics and automated systems has the potential to address complex challenges, reduce human workload, and enhance operational performance in critical areas of the economy.
Similarly, a prospective doctoral candidate, Habiba Ummi Muhammed, emphasized the role of biotechnology in tackling oil spill challenges in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Speaking after her interview, she explained that her research focuses on biosurfactant-producing microorganisms derived from waste environments as functional additives for oil spill mitigation, particularly in tropical marine ecosystems.
According to her, the study aims to provide environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions by utilizing naturally occurring substances from microorganisms to enhance oil spill cleanup efforts.
She rated the PTDF interview panel eight out of ten, commending their professionalism and welcoming disposition.
“I enjoyed the interaction. The panelists were receptive and attentive throughout the interview,” she said.
Habiba, who holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnology, noted that her decision to apply was influenced by her prior research on biosurfactants and the opportunity to further develop her work through the PTDF scholarship.
