Opportunities for Engineering Students

 The Nigerian oil and gas industry Offers various scholarship and training opportunities for Nigerian students looking to build a career in engineering and the energy sector. One such opportunity is the NNPC/Total Scholarship scheme sponsored by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Total, a leading oil and gas company operating in Nigeria.

In this detailed blog post, we provide an in-depth overview of the NNPC/Total scholarship program, its eligibility criteria, benefits, application process and tips to help engineering students take advantage of this funding opportunity.

Overview of NNPC/Total Scholarship Scheme

The NNPC/Total Scholarship scheme was established in 1993 as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NNPC and Total E&P Nigeria Limited to support and encourage the development of professional expertise and skills among young Nigerian students. Under this scholarship program, outstanding undergraduate and postgraduate students in various engineering fields can get full funding to study at top universities abroad. Some of the engineering disciplines covered under the scholarship include:

- Petroleum Engineering

- Chemical Engineering

- Mechanical Engineering 

- Electrical/Electronic Engineering

- Civil Engineering

- Environmental Sciences

The NNPC/Total scholarship program aims to develop a pool of highly trained Nigerian professionals who can contribute to the oil and gas sector. By funding studies abroad in globally recognized institutions, the program seeks to expose students to best practices, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art techniques in their engineering domains. The skills and expertise gained can then be applied by these students to advance Nigeria's oil and gas industry.

Some of the leading universities and programs covered under the scholarship include Imperial College London, University of Manchester, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California Berkeley, University of Alberta, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, University of Quebec, Texas A&M University and University of Stuttgart among others. Recipients have the flexibility to choose reputed institutions and specialized courses aligned with their interests and career goals.

The NNPC/Total scholarship demonstrates the commitment of both organizations to nurture talent, enhance technical capabilities, and steer innovation to transform Nigeria into an active hub for oil and gas technology and knowledge. By investing in human capital development, the scholarship program is a strategic initiative to build indigenous capacity and position Nigeria's hydrocarbons industry competitively on the global stage.

 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the NNPC/Total scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Nigerian citizen

• Have completed a relevant undergraduate degree with minimum second-class upper division or its equivalent.

• Must be seeking admission into a master's or Ph.D. program abroad in any of the engineering fields covered under the scholarship

• Must be below 30 years of age at the time of application

• Must have relevant work or research experience of not less than 2 years

The scholarship is merit-based and applicants are shortlisted based on academic excellence, relevant experience, and their proposed research area. The minimum eligibility criteria related to nationality, age, academic credentials, and work experience must be met by all applicants.

Beyond the basic criteria, applicants are assessed holistically based on:

• Academic transcripts and performance indicators like GPA, class ranking, awards, etc. 

• Quality of university and engineering program completed

• Relevance of work experience and research background

• Potential of the research proposal and its applicability

• Communication skills, achievements, and leadership potential displayed during interviews

• Recommendation letters highlighting credibility and abilities

The evaluation focuses on both academic merit as well as personal qualities and evidence of excellence. Highly motivated candidates with the ability to apply their knowledge and contribute meaningfully after graduation are favored.

 

Benefits of the Scholarship

The NNPC/Total scholarship is a generous award that funds the recipient's entire study program abroad. The key benefits include:

• Full tuition fee coverage (Dollar) for the engineering master's or PhD program at globally ranked universities

• Stipend provided on a monthly or annual basis to cover living expenses and other maintenance costs

• Annual book allowance to cover costs of books, stationery and supplies 

• Air tickets and travel costs including visa fees, airport transfers, and health insurance

• Opportunities for paid internships at NNPC, Total E&P Nigeria, or other partner organizations

• Laptops preloaded with relevant engineering software and tools

• Access to cutting-edge facilities, advanced labs, and research infrastructure

• Membership in professional student/alumni networks

The scholarship funding enables recipients to completely focus on their academics and research at leading institutions worldwide without any financial constraint. They can gain exposure to new ideas, cultures, and approaches that shape their perspectives and development.

Recipients also get exclusive opportunities to connect with senior industry leaders, scientists, professors, and fellow students from across the globe. The experiences and networks gained can be invaluable assets for their future careers.

 

Application Process

Applications for the NNPC/Total Scholarship are invited annually through advertisements in national dailies, online platforms, university noticeboards, and engineering professional body websites. Interested students have to submit their application along with supporting documents to meet the specified deadlines.

The key documents required include:

• Completed application forms with essay sections

• Degree certificates and transcripts

• Updated curriculum vitae highlighting academic projects, internships, skills, and honors 

• Letters of recommendation from professors/employers

• GRE/GMAT scores - (for postgraduate programs in US/UK universities)

• IELTS/TOEFL scores - (for non-native English-speaking students)

• Acceptance letter or provisional offer from a proposed university

• Detailed statement of purpose articulating academic interests, research objective, and future goals

• Recent passport-size photographs

• National ID card or passport biodata page

The statement of purpose is a critical component that must be well-written to impress the selection committee about one's candidature.

Applications must be submitted by the stipulated deadline promptly along with supporting paperwork to:

The Scholarship Scheme

NNPC/Total E&P Nigeria Ltd

NNPC Towers, Herbert Macaulay Way,

Central Business District, Abuja.

 

Application Tips

To stand out from the competition and maximize your chances of success, here are some useful tips while applying for the NNPC/Total scholarship:

• Research thoroughly the academic programs and universities you are interested in to make informed choices aligned with your goals.

• Start the admission application process early to target top universities and submit a provisional offer letter along with your scholarship application.

• Craft an outstanding statement of purpose highlighting your academic journey, research experience, future vision, and career plans.

• Obtain strong recommendation letters from professors or managers highlighting your qualities, achievements, and potential.

• Prepare extensively for scholarship interviews - technical knowledge, communication skills and confidence during interviews can make an impression.

• Apply to multiple universities to have higher scholarship acceptance chances in case you get rejected by competitive programs. 

• Leverage student forums or alumni networks to get insights and application tips from previous NNPC/Total scholarship recipients.

Meeting the eligibility criteria and profile is the first step but making one's candidature stand out requires thorough preparation, smart choices, and strategic planning.

 

Conclusion

The NNPC/Total Scholarship offers a life-changing opportunity for bright and promising Nigerian students to access world-class engineering education globally. The prestigious scholarship program invests in developing well-trained graduates who can drive innovation and progress in Nigeria's oil and gas sector.

The fully funded scholarship allows recipients to completely focus on their academics and research at leading universities worldwide and gain exposure to cutting-edge developments in their engineering fields. For eligible Nigerian students with an interest in petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and other related disciplines, the NNPC/Total scholarship presents a pathway to globally ranked institutions and rewarding careers in the energy industry.

With thorough preparation and well-presented applications demonstrating academic excellence, relevant skills, potential, and clear goals, students can grab this chance to have their postgraduate studies fully financed at imperial colleges abroad through the NNPC/Total Scholarship scheme.