MINDS POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

LOCATION: Multiple Regions in Africa

The MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development (MINDS’) in Africa offers scholarships to Africans who wish to pursue postgraduate studies within Africa, outside of their own countries. Through tailored leadership development activities, the MINDS Scholarship Programme aims to nurture leaders who have a continental development mindset; leaders who will facilitate greater cohesion and cooperation between African countries.

MINDS Scholarships are applicable to full-time studies of a one- or two-year Honors or Master’s degree at one of the MINDS preferred institutions (listed below). MINDS does not prescribe the course to be studied.

Individuals with a Pan-African outlook, demonstrated leadership ability and an excellent academic record who wish to study on the African continent, outside their home country, are invited to apply for the scholarships.

ELIGIBILITY:

MINDS Scholarships are awarded to meritorious applicants following a rigorous selection process. To be considered for a MINDS Scholarship, you must:

Be a national of an African country, residing in any African country

Have been formally accepted by one or more MINDS preferred institution/s outside of your country of citizenship and/ or residency

Have been formally accepted by one or more MINDS preferred institution/s to pursue postgraduate studies within the following year

Have obtained at least 70% in each subject/ course in the last two completed years of study

Produce evidence of demonstrated leadership abilities or potential guided by the questions/ requirements set out in the application form

Submit a complete online application form (see below) with the required supporting documentation.

List of Preferred Institutions:

To be eligible to receive a MINDS Scholarship, an applicant must have been accepted to study at one of the following institutions:

EAST AFRICA

African Leadership University, Rwanda

Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda, Rwanda

Makerere University, Uganda

Strathmore University, Kenya

SOUTHERN AFRICA

African Leadership University, Mauritius

University of Cape Town, South Africa

University of Mauritius, Mauritius

University of Witwatersrand, South Africa

NORTH AFRICA

Al Akhawayn University, Morocco

Université Cadi Ayyad, Morocco

Université Mohammed V, Morocco

WEST AFRICA

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana

Pan-Atlantic University (Lagos Business School), Nigeria

University of Development Studies, Ghana

BENEFIT:

The scholarship will cover some or all of the expenses below, depending on whether a partial or full scholarship is awarded:

Tuition

Accommodation and meals

One return ticket per duration of studies

A fixed stipend.

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FULLY FUNDED 2025/2026 OVERSEAS POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, GERMANY, FRANCE, MALAYSIA (UK&GFM)

Application Deadline: Monday, June 4th, 2025 (six weeks from the date of this publication).

LOCATION: Multiple Regions

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), a Federal Government agency mandated to develop indigenous human capacity, Research and technology for the oil and gas industry, invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the Overseas MSc and PhD scholarships to specific programs at selected institutions under its Overseas Scholarship Scheme for the 2025/2026 academic session.

ELIGIBILITY:

Candidates with multiple applications will be automatically disqualified.

Candidates who have been sponsored by the Fund in a specific category (MSc/PhD) are ineligible to make another application for the same or a lower category.

Candidates who are beneficiaries of any other scholarship from similar organizations are not eligible to apply. Additionally, all lecturers must provide a letter from their Vice Chancellors confirming that they are not receiving any other form of scholarship.

MSc UK: The PTDF is in partnership with eighteen (18) top-ranking universities in the United Kingdom to deliver a world-class Masters degree in Oil and Gas related fields, in line with the Fund’s mandate.

PhD/MSc GFM: Under its strategic partnership in Germany, France and Malaysia, PTDF will continue to sponsor full funded PhD and MSc programmes in the 2025/2026 session in Public Institutions within the three (3) countries. Please note that all public universities in Germany are acceptable. Hence, the list is not provided.

PhD Applicants Must:

Have completed the mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC)

Be computer literate

Possess 5 O/level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.

Have a minimum of Second-Class Lower (2.2) in their first degree and a good post-graduate degree 

Submit a research proposal relevant to the oil and gas industry (of not more than five pages) to include: Topic, introduction, objective, methodology and mode of data collection.

Applicants must have a National Identity Number (NIN) and will be required to have verified it (NIMC verification charges apply) before applying for the scholarship. 

MSc applicants must:

Have a minimum of Second Class Upper (2.1) qualification in their first degree or a Second-Class Lower (2.2) with relevant industry experience

Have completed the mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC)

Be computer literate

Possess 5 O/level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.

Write a statement of purpose (maximum 500 words) stating the reason(s) for the proposed study, its relevance to the industry and its expected impact on national development.

Have a National Identity Number (NIN) fully verified (NIMC verification charges apply) before applying for the scholarship. 

Strategic Partnerships: With Universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Malaysia: For the 2025/2026 award, applications will be limited to PTDF partner universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia, where the Fund is confident that the scholarship’s high standards can be maintained, and the objectives of the scheme will be best served.

Split-Site UK PhD: Offered at the PTDF-Owned College of Petroleum and Energy Studies Kaduna, Nigeria: Starting in 2025, all PhD programs in the United Kingdom under this scheme will be offered exclusively as Split-site programs. These programs will enable scholars to conduct research in Nigeria and the UK by dividing their residency between the PTDF-owned College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and any of the three partner universities in the United Kingdom.

College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK): The College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK) was established to provide a competitive and worldclass education in Nigeria addressing the needs of the growing energy industry by domesticating valuable overseas postgraduate degree programs and research at the institution.

Split-Site UK Partnership Universities: The following UK universities are currently in partnership with PTDF and CPESK to deliver postgraduate studies aligned with the evolving needs of Nigeria’s energy industry and with programs structured to align with the global energy landscape:

Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen:Approved courses are available here

University of Strathclyde, Glasgow:Approved courses are available here

University of Portsmouth:Approved courses are available here

BENEFIT:

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund PTDF Overseas Scholarship includes the provision of;

flight tickets,

payment of health insurance,

payment of tuition and bench fees (where applicable), and

the provision of allowances to meet the costs of accommodation and living expenses.

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