Its Executive Secretary, Dr Bello Aliyu Gusau, who made this disclosure in Abuja during a five-day induction programme for 122 Msc and 76 Phd students under the 2018/2019 PTDF overseas scholarship scheme in the United Kingdom (UK), said that the action became imperative with a view to ensuring that the main objectives of the scheme were achieved.
He also announced that efforts have reached an advanced stage by the agency to commence local scholarship in the Nigerian universities, saying the number of the scholars would be higher than that of overseas, possibly double by number when the Fund started.
While dismissing the insinuation in some quarters that despite the continuous scholarship awards by the agency, a lot of expatriates were still in the nation’s oil and gas sector, the Executive Secretary pointed out that Nigerians were gradually taking over most of the operations in the industry, saying overall performance of the students was so fantastic.
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Dr Gusau said the scholarship which was awarded to the beneficiaries of different academic status across the country was based on merit and equity having passed through rigorous tests based majorly on their excellent academic performance.
The PTDF boss, therefore, implored the beneficiaries to be of good behaviour in their respective universities, and as well uphold in high esteem the integrity of their country, PTDF and their immediate families.
He further challenged them to focus more on how to solve specific challenges facing the nation’s oil and gas sector.
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