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The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has officially commenced academic operations at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), with the induction of 43 PhD students as its first cohort.
Speaking at the ceremony in Kaduna, PTDF Executive Secretary, Ahmed Galadima Aminu, described the event as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, noting that it marks the result of years of planning, investment, and collaboration.
According to him, the college conceived in 2009 is one of PTDF’s most ambitious projects and is designed to provide specialised postgraduate education and research in the energy sector.
Aminu explained that CPESK will function as a centre of excellence, helping to localise the Fund’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme by bringing high-quality education closer to Nigerian students.
He also highlighted the introduction of a pilot PhD split-site programme, the first of its kind in Nigeria, which allows students to combine local academic supervision with international exposure.
Under this arrangement, scholars will study partly in Nigeria while collaborating with partner institutions in the United Kingdom, including the University of Strathclyde, Robert Gordon University, and the University of Portsmouth.
The programme attracted 3,702 applications after it was announced in May 2025, with only 43 candidates selected through a competitive, merit-based process.
Additionally, 43 academic advisors, mostly PTDF alumni, have been appointed to guide the students throughout their studies.
Aminu credited the successful launch of the college to the support of key stakeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, petroleum ministers, and major institutions such as the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
In his remarks, NUC Executive Secretary, Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, described the induction as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s university system.
He praised PTDF for its continued investment in human capital development and noted that CPESK will strengthen local expertise, reduce reliance on foreign training, and maintain global standards through international partnerships.
He urged the newly inducted scholars to serve as worthy ambassadors, emphasizing that their contributions will shape the institution’s future.
Aminu also encouraged the students to demonstrate discipline and excellence, stressing that their training should translate into meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector.
He expressed confidence that CPESK will grow into a leading hub for energy education, research, and innovation in Nigeria and beyond.
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