The appeal was made by PTDF Executive Secretary, Professor Shu’aibu Shehu Aliyu, during a strategic meeting with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pete Vowles, at the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology in Kaduna on Tuesday.

Aliyu said the cost of studying in the UK and difficulties some scholarship recipients encounter when applying for visas were creating challenges for the Fund’s overseas education programme. He called for greater cooperation to ensure that qualified Nigerian scholars could access international education opportunities without unnecessary financial and administrative obstacles.

The PTDF chief also proposed a monitoring framework involving the British government and host universities to track the academic progress and welfare of Nigerian scholars studying in the UK.

According to Aliyu, the Fund’s partnership network includes institutions such as Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde, the University of Portsmouth, the University of Aberdeen, Newcastle University, the University of Birmingham, the University of Glasgow, the University of Leicester, the University of Liverpool and the University of Manchester.

He said the collaboration had played an important role in developing Nigerian engineers, geoscientists, researchers and other professionals needed in the energy sector.

Aliyu disclosed that PTDF had sponsored nearly 15,000 Nigerians for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Nigeria and abroad through its Overseas Scholarship Scheme and In-Country Scholarship Scheme.

He added that, as of July 2026, 1,571 scholars were studying in 15 countries across more than 120 partner institutions, while applications and demand for the Fund’s scholarship programmes continued to grow.

The executive secretary said PTDF was pursuing a strategy built around human capital development, institutional capacity building, and research and development. Its priorities include strengthening local training, creating employment-oriented programmes, supporting a knowledge-driven economy and equipping energy professionals with digital and artificial intelligence skills.

To reduce the cost of overseas education, the Fund has also introduced a split-site PhD programme that allows scholars to complete part of their doctoral studies in Nigeria and the remainder at partner universities in the UK.

Aliyu said the arrangement would help build the capacity of Nigerian institutions, reduce spending on overseas training and provide scholars with internationally recognised qualifications.

He identified the Kaduna-based university as a key investment in advanced postgraduate education, applied research and energy innovation. The institution is intended to connect academic training with practical industry needs and serve students and researchers from Nigeria and the wider West African region.

However, he stressed that modern facilities alone would not guarantee the university’s success without sustained cooperation with international universities, technical experts and industry partners.

Responding, British High Commissioner Pete Vowles acknowledged the concerns over tuition costs and visa processing. He said he would communicate the issues raised by PTDF to the relevant authorities and stakeholders in the UK.

Vowles reaffirmed Britain’s willingness to continue working with the Fund and British universities to support Nigerian scholars and strengthen educational cooperation between both countries.

He also pointed to efforts to streamline the scholarship process, including recognition of PTDF as a government-approved sponsor, which he said was expected to make the process smoother. However, he did not announce a specific reduction in tuition fees or a change to UK visa rules.

The meeting highlighted the need to balance access to international postgraduate education with the cost of training and the development of stronger domestic institutions. Through its split-site programme and expanded university partnerships, PTDF is seeking to widen opportunities for Nigerian scholars while building local expertise for the country’s energy industry.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia