The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has expressed concern over the increasing number of Nigerian scholars sponsored to study abroad who are not returning to contribute to the development of the nation’s oil and gas sector. Most of these students, after completing their education in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, are being absorbed into foreign workforces due to lack of opportunities back home.
Speaking during a one-day students’ sensitisation and capacity building programme at the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, the Head of the Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) at PTDF, Mrs. Bolanle Kehinde-Agboola, said that out of the 8,196 Nigerians trained through both overseas and in-country scholarship schemes, a large number have remained abroad after their studies.
Mrs. Kehinde-Agboola noted that these scholars were originally sent to study abroad with the aim of equipping them with world-class knowledge and skills needed in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. However, upon graduation, many of them are unable to find jobs in Nigeria, prompting them to stay and work abroad.
“Our investment is being retained in the US, UK, Canada, and other places. These students were supposed to return and help develop our oil and gas industry, but they find it difficult to get jobs when they come back,” she said.
She explained that the PTDF is now working to address this challenge by partnering with oil and gas companies in Nigeria to create more job opportunities for returning scholars. The aim, she said, is to ensure that Nigerian students trained abroad under PTDF’s scholarship scheme are absorbed into the local oil and gas sector, where their skills are badly needed.
Established by Act No. 25 of 1973, PTDF replaced the earlier Gulf Oil Company Training Fund Administration Act of 1964. It was created to build human capacity for Nigeria’s petroleum sector through education and training. The PTDF took over all responsibilities and assets of the defunct Gulf Oil Company Training Fund and has since been the government’s main channel for producing skilled manpower for the energy sector.
The Fund offers scholarships for studies both locally and overseas in fields such as engineering, geological sciences, environmental studies, information and communication technology (ICT), health and safety, and management. It also supports research and development efforts in Nigerian universities.
According to Mrs. Kehinde-Agboola, the Fund’s scholarship programmes cater to students with a minimum of five credits in SSCE including English and Mathematics, as well as university graduates with at least a second-class lower degree and some experience in the industry. These students are either trained in-country or sent to top institutions abroad to gain specialised knowledge and expertise.
The PTDF scholarship has succeeded in training thousands of Nigerian youths. However, Mrs. Kehinde-Agboola admitted that one of the biggest challenges facing the scheme now is how to ensure that Nigeria benefits from the return on its investment in these scholars.
She noted, “We need to create more cooperation and partnership with the oil and gas industry here in Nigeria. That way, when these students return, they can find jobs and contribute their knowledge to national development.”
She also highlighted the importance of engaging PTDF alumni around the world. According to her, many past beneficiaries are now scattered across the globe, and PTDF is exploring ways to harness their skills and experience to benefit Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
During the sensitisation programme at the University of Uyo, many students commended the PTDF for its dedication to building capacity in the oil and gas industry through scholarships and other initiatives. They praised the Fund for providing them with opportunities to develop skills that are relevant in today’s energy sector.
The programme also featured contributions from Sunday Adedayo Asefon, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Students’ Engagement. Asefon stressed that the oil and gas sector is no longer a place for only engineers and technical experts. Instead, it now requires a mix of professionals, including digital innovators, legal minds, environmental scientists, and community mobilisers.
He urged students to equip themselves with diverse skills to be able to compete and innovate within the sector. He also praised the PTDF for its continued efforts in training and mentoring young Nigerians.
“The PTDF is laying a solid foundation for a new generation of professionals who will bring excellence, transparency, and sustainability to this sector and to Nigeria at large,” Asefon said.
While the PTDF continues to play a critical role in human capital development for the petroleum sector, it is clear that more must be done to prevent brain drain and ensure that the skills acquired by Nigerian scholars abroad benefit the country.
Stronger partnerships between the PTDF, government agencies, and private oil companies may help provide job opportunities for returning scholars. Creating a favourable environment for young professionals will also reduce the temptation to stay abroad permanently.
For now, the PTDF remains one of the key institutions working to prepare Nigerian youths for leadership and innovation in the oil and gas sector. The challenge now lies in retaining this talent and ensuring it serves the nation’s development goals.
