A new dawn at PTDF’s College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna
In a region too often defined by insecurity and lost opportunities, a quiet but potentially transformative development is taking shape. On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Nigeria commenced its first split-site PhD programme in oil and gas under the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), an institution of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). […]
In a region too often defined by insecurity and lost opportunities, a quiet but potentially transformative development is taking shape. On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Nigeria commenced its first split-site PhD programme in oil and gas under the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), an institution of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). The symbolism is powerful: from the ashes of violence and poverty in Northern Nigeria emerges a deliberate investment in knowledge, competence, and long-term national capability. I am highly honored to be among the pioneering advisors for this programme.
After the inauguration ceremony, one simple question remained on my mind: Can PTDF’s split-site PhD model give birth to a local “MIT for Energy”? The arrangement represents a hybrid model of doctoral training. In simple terms, candidates are based primarily in Nigeria (CPESK), where they spend two years conducting literature reviews, performing experiments, and attending seminars. They receive joint supervision from local advisors and international supervisors. Degrees are awarded by partner universities in the UK, including the University of Strathclyde, Robert Gordon University, and the University of Portsmouth, with more universities expected to join in subsequent phases. Scholars benefit from a maximum of 12 months of research exposure abroad, rather than full relocation. This is not merely an academic arrangement—it is a strategic redesign of capacity development.
For decades, Nigeria’s approach to high-level manpower development in oil and gas has relied heavily on full overseas training. At one point, PTDF was the single largest sponsor of postgraduate scholars in the UK. While effective in producing elite graduates, this approach has three major drawbacks: it is extremely costly, it is vulnerable to brain drain, and it does little to build local institutional capacity. The split-site model attempts to address all three challenges simultaneously.
If we consider the financial implications, this shift is long overdue. Since its establishment, PTDF has invested heavily in overseas scholarships; particularly in the UK and Europe. According to one conservative estimate, it costs about $55,000 per scholar, covering tuition, living expenses, accommodation, and other benefits. When aggregated over 15–20 years, the total investment is enormous. For comparison, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) spends up to N100 million (approximately $69,000) per lecturer on foreign scholarships. In November 2025, this programme was discontinued due to unsustainable costs and a high rate of abscondment. While PTDF’s investment has undoubtedly produced skilled professionals, much of the institutional benefit accrued abroad, strengthening foreign universities rather than Nigerian ones.
The split-site model marks a critical inflection point for three key reasons. First, a larger share of funding is retained within Nigeria. There is an estimated cost reduction of about 85%. Second, local institutions like CPESK begin to accumulate research culture, infrastructure, and prestige. Third, international exposure becomes targeted and efficient, rather than wholesale. In truth, this approach is not just innovative; it is long overdue. By actively involving local advisors, a culture of academic excellence can be fostered within CPESK and other Nigerian institutions.
One commendable aspect of the programme is the rigour of the selection process. According to Mr. Ahmed Aminu Galadima, Executive Secretary of PTDF, only 43 candidates were selected out of 3,702 applicants—an acceptance rate of approximately 1.16%. For context, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has an acceptance rate of about 4–5%, while Harvard University admits roughly 3–4%. This makes the PTDF split-site PhD programme, at least for this inaugural cohort, more selective than some of the world’s most elite institutions.
Such selectivity sends a strong signal: the programme is merit-driven, its standards are globally competitive, and the brand value of CPESK could grow rapidly if quality is sustained. I must add that my own advisee demonstrates strong foundational knowledge and has already published two academic articles. Following our preliminary joint meeting with the UK supervisor, it is clear that he is highly enthusiastic about the student’s preparedness and motivation.
Nigeria is not alone in adopting this gradual domestication strategy. Several countries have successfully followed similar pathways. Malaysia, for example, initially relied heavily on foreign PhD training but gradually strengthened institutions like Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS through joint supervision programmes, industry-linked research, and strategic international partnerships. Today, it is a regional hub for energy education. Similarly, Saudi Arabia invested heavily in overseas scholarships before pivoting to local capacity building through institutions such as my alma mater – King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), which recruited global faculty, embedded international research standards, and developed a local ecosystem of excellence. China’s “sandwich” PhD model offers another example, combining overseas training with rapid domestic capacity building. This contributes to the rise of globally competitive universities such as Tsinghua University.
Why am I optimistic about the CPESK model? Several features make it particularly promising. First is institutional anchoring. Unlike previous scholarship schemes, this programme is rooted in a Nigerian institution, ensuring that knowledge transfer remains local while facilities and staff capacity improve over time. Second is dual supervision, which combines local mentorship with international oversight, creating a robust quality assurance mechanism. Third is industry integration. Through PTDF’s collaboration with NNPC Limited, research is aligned with real industry challenges, enhancing both relevance and impact. Every research topic is tailored to the needs of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Finally, there is talent filtering at scale—selecting 43 candidates from 3,702 applicants ensures that only the very best are trained, laying a strong foundation for an elite research culture. Another reason for optimism is the leadership of the college under its manager, the indefatigable Engr. Dr. Munir Zubair Sirajo and the General Manager, Education & Training, PTDF, Hajiya Rabi’ah Waziri-Adamu.
All advisors gathered at the CPESK Kaduna campus for five days, and I was deeply impressed. As a ringside observer, I can say that while the promise of CPESK is significant, success is not guaranteed. Several risks must be addressed. Sustained funding is essential for laboratories, equipment, and staffing. Quality assurance mechanisms must match the standards of partner institutions in the UK. Bureaucratic delays must be minimised to maintain research momentum. And deliberate strategies must ensure a strong return on investment through industry absorption of graduates. If these challenges are effectively managed, CPESK could evolve into something far more consequential than a training center. It could become a continental reference point for energy research and postgraduate education.
The split-site PhD programme is more than an academic initiative; it is a strategic statement about Nigeria’s future. It marks the beginning of a new trajectory. PTDF is transitioning from consuming global knowledge to co-producing it, from exporting talent to building local ecosystems, and from fragmented training to institutional excellence.
Whether CPESK becomes a Nigerian equivalent of MIT in the energy domain remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: for the first time in a long while, Nigeria is not just sending its brightest minds abroad; it is giving them a reason to build the future at home. For Northern Nigeria, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of violence and poverty, emerges an institution that may help define the future of the energy sector in Nigeria and across Africa.
El-Yakubu is a Professor of Chemical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria [email protected]