Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has trained 9,659 Nigerians on its overseas and in-country scholarships since its inception.
The Executive Secretary of PTDF, Dr Bello Gusau, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday, said that the beneficiaries had acquired first degrees as well as masters and doctoral (PhD) degrees.
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According to Gusau, PTDF, under its fund’s strategic direction, provides scholarships to master’s and PhD degree applicants in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, China and Malaysia.
He said that the fund sponsored students/awardees in all major disciplines related to oil and gas and energy industries, including engineering, geosciences, environmental studies, computing and management.
“This has enhanced the upward shift of local content contribution to the industry, facilitated knowledge transfer and driven the development of indigenous research and the growth of Nigerian companies,” Gusau said.
He explained that going by the terms and conditions of the scholarships granted, successful scholars were mandated to return to Nigeria to add value to its economy.
The executive secretary stated that the impacts of the training on the nation’s economy, upon their return, had been nothing but positive, adding that to a large extent, the beneficiaries were more knowledgeable in their respective fields. (NAN)