Do you want to study without paying school fees? Oil and gas scholarships for Nigerian students can make that happen. These are some of the most generous awards available to Nigerian undergraduates and postgraduates. They pay for your tuition, books, and sometimes give you a monthly living allowance. This guide will show you exactly how to apply and win.
What Are the Oil and Gas Scholarships for Nigerian Students
These scholarships come from the Nigerian government and private oil companies operating in Nigeria. The main providers are PTDF (Petroleum Technology Development Fund), NNPC, Shell, Chevron, Mobil, Seplat, TotalEnergies, and NLNG.
Each scholarship has its own rules and deadlines. Some are for undergraduates in 100 or 200 level. Others are for master’s and PhD students. The common thing is that they all want to help Nigerian students succeed in oil and gas related courses like engineering, geosciences, and petroleum studies.
PTDF Scholarship 2026: The Government’s Flagship Award
The PTDF scholarship is one of the biggest oil and gas scholarships for Nigerian students. For 2026, the application portal opened on April 20, 2026, and will close on May 29, 2026. That gives you about six weeks to apply.
Who can apply? For the undergraduate in-country scheme, you need a minimum CGPA of 2.4 on a 5.0 scale and you must be in 200 level. For the postgraduate overseas scholarship, you need at least a Second Class Lower degree and completion of NYSC. The overseas scholarship sends you to study in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, or Malaysia.
The benefits are excellent. You get full tuition, return flight tickets, accommodation allowance, health insurance, and a living stipend.
Major Oil Company Scholarships for 2026
Shell SPDC Scholarship is for undergraduates in 200 level with at least a 2.5 CGPA. You must be a full-time student in an accredited Nigerian university. The application period typically opens around June or July.
NNPC/Seplat JV Undergraduate Scholarship gives successful students ₦200,000 annually. You need a minimum CGPA of 3.5 and at least five O’level credits including English and Mathematics at one sitting. The application is completely free. No one should ask you to pay anything.
Chevron Agbami Scholarship is for full-time 100 and 200 level undergraduates in Nigerian universities. It focuses on medical and engineering fields. Successful candidates receive up to ₦200,000 annually.
Mobil ExxonMobil Scholarship awards ₦150,000 per year to recipients. You need at least six O’level passes with five distinctions at one sitting.
NNPC/TotalEnergies International Scholarship is a fully funded master’s program in France. You need a minimum Second Class Upper degree completed not earlier than five years ago and NYSC completion certificate.
NNPC Agip Scholarship 2026 is for master’s students. You need a Second Class Upper degree and must be 28 years old or younger by December 31, 2026. It covers tuition, textbooks, accommodation, living expenses, and a return economy ticket.
Your Step-by-Step Application Checklist
Use this checklist to prepare before you start any application.
- Check your CGPA. Most scholarships need at least 2.5 or Second Class Lower.
- Get your WAEC or NECO result with at least five credits including English and Math.
- Prepare your JAMB result slip.
- Get your university admission letter.
- Write a personal statement (one page is usually enough).
- Get two reference letters from your lecturers or HOD.
- Prepare your NYSC discharge certificate (for postgraduates).
- Make a digital copy of your passport photograph.
- Have your National Identification Number (NIN) ready.
- Keep your university transcript ready (signed and stamped by your HOD).
A Real Success Story
I remember helping a student from Delta State who had a CGPA of 2.8. He thought he could never win any scholarship. I told him to focus on the PTDF undergraduate scheme because it only required 2.4. He applied, and he got it. He is now in his final year with all his fees paid. The lesson is simple. Do not compare yourself to people with first class grades. Apply to scholarships where you meet the minimum requirement. You never know.
The Downside No One Tells You
Here is the truth. These scholarships are very competitive. Thousands of students apply, and only a few hundred get selected. The application process can also be confusing. Different scholarships use different websites, and some portals are only open for a few weeks.
Also, some scholarships come with a bond. You may be required to work for the sponsor company for a certain number of years after graduation. If you break that agreement, you may have to pay back all the money. So read the terms carefully before you accept any award.
How to Avoid Scholarship Scams
This is very important. No legitimate oil and gas scholarship will ask you to pay any money. If someone asks for a “processing fee” or “registration fee”, it is a scam. Always apply through the official portal of the scholarship provider. Do not trust links sent to you by email or WhatsApp unless you verify them first. Here are the official links you need:
- PTDF Scholarship Portal: scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng
- Seplat Scholarship Portal: register.seplatscholarship.com
- Shell SPDC: Check the official Shell Nigeria website when applications open
Two Sentences to Remember
Oil and gas scholarships for Nigerian students are real and available in 2026. Start preparing your documents now, apply to the ones that match your CGPA, and never pay anyone to help you apply.
