The world’s biggest nuclear power plant is set to restart on Wednesday for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, its Japanese operator said, despite persistent safety concerns among residents.

The governor of Niigata province, where the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant is located, approved its resumption last month, although public opinion remains sharply divided.

After receiving the final green light Wednesday, Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) said they were “proceeding with preparations… and plan to remove the control rods after 7:00 pm today and start up the reactor”.

On Tuesday, a few dozen protesters — mostly elderly — braved freezing temperatures to demonstrate in the snow near the plant’s entrance, whose buildings line the Sea of Japan coast.

“It’s Tokyo’s electricity that is produced in Kashiwazaki, so why should the people here be put at risk? That makes no sense,” Yumiko Abe, a 73-year-old resident, told AFP.

Around 60 per cent of residents oppose the restart, while 37 per cent support it, according to a survey conducted in September.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the world’s biggest nuclear power plant by potential capacity, although just one reactor of seven is restarting Wednesday.

The facility was taken offline when Japan pulled the plug on nuclear power after a colossal earthquake and tsunami sent three reactors at the Fukushima atomic plant into meltdown in 2011.

However, resource-poor Japan now wants to revive atomic energy to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and meet growing energy needs from artificial intelligence.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has voiced support for the energy source.

Fourteen reactors, mostly in western and southern Japan, have resumed operation since the post-Fukushima shutdown under strict safety rules, with 13 running as of mid January.

The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa unit would be the first run by Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) — which also operates the stricken Fukushima Daiichi plant, now being decommissioned — to restart since 2011.

Nearly fifteen years after the disaster, “the situation is still not under control in Fukushima, and TEPCO wants to revive a plant? For me, that’s absolutely unacceptable,” said Keisuke Abe, an 81-year-old demonstrator.

‘Anxious And Fearful’

The vast Kashiwazaki-Kariwa complex has been fitted with a 15-metre-high (50-foot) tsunami wall, elevated emergency power systems, and other safety upgrades.

However, residents raised concerns about the risk of a serious accident, citing frequent cover-up scandals, minor accidents, and evacuation plans they say are inadequate.

“I think it’s impossible to evacuate in an emergency,” Chie Takakuwa, a 79-year-old resident of Kariwa, told AFP.

On January 8, seven groups opposing the restart submitted a petition signed by nearly 40,000 people to TEPCO and Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority.

The petition said the plant sits on an active seismic fault zone and noted it was struck by a strong quake in 2007.

“We can’t remove the fear of being hit by another unforeseen earthquake,” it said.

“Making many people anxious and fearful so as to send electricity to Tokyo…is intolerable.”

Before the 2011 disaster — which killed around 18,000 people — nuclear power generated about a third of Japan’s electricity.

String Of Scandals

Japan’s nuclear industry has also faced a string of scandals and incidents in recent weeks, including data falsification by Chubu Electric Power to underestimate seismic risks.

At Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, TEPCO said Saturday that an alarm system failed during a test.

“Safety is an ongoing process, which means operators involved in nuclear power must never be arrogant or overconfident,” TEPCO President Tomoaki Kobayakawa said in an interview with the Asahi daily.

READ ALSO: Audi Unveils New Car For 2026 Formula One Season

Japan is the world’s fifth-largest single-country emitter of carbon dioxide, after China, the United States, India, and Russia, and is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels.

Nearly 70 per cent of its electricity in 2023 came from coal, gas, and oil — a share Tokyo wants to slash to 30-40 per cent over the next 15 years as it expands renewable energy and nuclear power.

Under a plan approved by the government in February, nuclear power will account for around a fifth of Japan’s energy supply by 2040 — up from around 8.5 per cent in the fiscal year 2023-24.

Meanwhile, Japan still faces the daunting task of decommissioning the Fukushima plant, a project expected to take decades.

AFP

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German manufacturer Audi, which will make its Formula One debut this season after acquiring the Sauber team, unveiled its first-ever single-seater on Tuesday and declared its ambition to “win championships by 2030”.

The livery of the car, named the Audi R26, features a predominantly grey colour scheme and displays the four rings of the German brand’s logo in red on its rear wing and was designed to be “the most elegant and striking on the grid.”

Last year’s Sauber drivers, Nico Huelkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, will remain at the team in 2026 following the rebranding.

“The 2026 regulations created the perfect moment to enter Formula 1,” said Italian Mattia Binotto, the project’s chief.

READ ALSO: Netflix Shares Fall As Revenue Appears To Stall

Team principal Jonathan Wheatley added, “This car is the physical embodiment of thousands of hours of hard work from a hugely talented group of people across our facilities.

“Today, we start this journey with immense pride, but also with humility. This is just day one of a long campaign. Our mission is to embed a championship DNA into every fibre of this team.

“A culture of resilience, precision, and relentless curiosity where we stop at nothing to find performance. For everyone here, the excitement comes from this challenge: to build a team that gets stronger with every lap, every debrief, and every race. We will turn our long-term ambition into on-track reality, day by day, decision by decision.”

Like the other ten F1 teams, this new car will make its track debut next week during closed-door tests at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.

AFP

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Netflix shares fell more than five percent on Tuesday as the streaming entertainment giant said it expected revenue to be essentially flat in the current quarter after years of growth.

Netflix reported a profit of $2.4 billion on revenue of $12 billion in the final three months of last year and forecasted revenue of $12.1 billion for this quarter.

Shares were down more than 4 per cent to $83.07 in after-market trades.

Netflix is focused on improving its core business by increasing the variety and quality of shows and films, and also strengthening its ad business, co-chief executive Ted Sarandos said during a streamed earnings interview.

The streaming giant aims to double revenue from its ad business to $3 billion this year, according to Netflix chief financial officer Spencer Neumann.

“The top line numbers generally look pretty healthy,” Gabelli Funds portfolio manager John Belton said of Netflix’s earnings report, noting that an updated subscriber number topping 325 million showed solid membership growth last year.

Sarandos touted a strong lineup of shows, including upcoming new seasons of “Bridgerton” and “One Piece,” as well as a deal to stream the coming World Baseball Classic to viewers in Japan.

Warner Brothers Saga

The earnings report came as Netflix presses a bid to buy television and film titan Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD).

“Big picture, we just saw a tremendous and achievable opportunity in bringing these two businesses together,” Netflix co-chief executive Greg Peters said on the earnings call.

Netflix on Tuesday revised the terms of the proffered deal to make it all-cash and to provide WBD shareholders with more certainty about the transaction, the company said in a release.

The revision is expected to enable a shareholder vote on the deal, backed by WBD’s board, by April of this year.

“The WBD board continues to support and unanimously recommend our transaction, and we are confident that it will deliver the best outcome for stockholders, consumers, creators, and the broader entertainment community,” Sarandos said in a release.

“The acquisition will also significantly expand US production capacity and investment in original programming, driving job creation and long-term industry growth.”

Paramount Skydance said earlier this month that it has filed a lawsuit against WBD as it presses an unwelcome bid to buy the CNN-parent company.

Paramount’s suit seeks to compel the WBD board to provide certain information to shareholders that it argues will cast its offer in a more favorable light.

The suit, and a letter to WBD shareholders by Paramount Skydance chief executive David Ellison, are moves in a saga spanning several months.

Television and film titan WBD put out word in late October that it was open to acquisition offers, with its board subsequently accepting a bid by streaming giant Netflix.

WBD formally rejected an offer from Paramount Skydance for the entire company.

READ ALSO: Netflix Shares Fall As Revenue Appears To Stall

The Netflix offer favoured by the board does not include buying WBD television properties such as CNN and Discovery, which would belong to a newly created and publicly traded company called Global Networks if the deal is sealed.

“We are committed to seeing our tender offer through,” Ellison said in the letter to WBD shareholders.

“If WBD calls a special meeting ahead of its annual meeting to vote on the Netflix Agreement, Paramount will solicit proxies against such approval.”

AFP

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Asian equities stabilised Wednesday after a rough start to the week, fuelled by Donald Trump’s Greenland-linked tariff threats, though uncertainty rattling through trading floors saw safe-haven precious metals hit fresh record highs.

Japanese bond yields also settled back following Tuesday’s surge on the back of a pledge by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to cut taxes.

The US President injected a fresh dose of volatility into markets Saturday after threatening to hit several European countries — including France, Germany, Britain, and Denmark — with up to 25 per cent tariffs over their opposition to his takeover of Greenland.

The move has sparked a warning of retaliation, with French President Emmanuel Macron raising the possibility of deploying an unused, powerful instrument aimed at deterring economic coercion.

And speaking at the Davos gathering in Switzerland, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen warned Washington that hitting allied nations with punitive tariffs over Greenland would be a “mistake”.

In response, US Treasury chief Scott Bessent said Monday that any retaliatory EU tariffs would be “unwise”.

Markets have sunk globally this week, and Wall Street’s three main indexes tanked on Tuesday as they reopened after a long weekend.

But Asia saw a mixed performance in early trade Wednesday.

Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei, and Manila fell, while Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Jakarta rose. US futures advanced.

However, concerns about the outlook and concerns the crisis could grow saw precious metals — a go-to in times of turmoil — continue to hit new peaks.

Gold topped out at $4,836.80, and silver touched $95.89 an ounce.

Eyes are now on Trump’s visit to the World Economic Forum at Davos later in the day.

“Traders continue to monitor the prospects for an agreement around Trump’s claim on Greenland, alongside the ongoing pricing of risk that Trump subsequently raises tariffs on European imports… and whether Europe responds with impactful tariffs of its own,” wrote Chris Weston at Pepperstone.

“The focus from traders now turns to Trump’s scheduled speech in Davos, but prior to that, the reaction and the ensuing price action through the Asian session.”

Bond markets also saw some calm following Tuesday’s rally in Japanese yields to record highs after Takaichi called a snap election for February 8 and said she would suspend an eight percent sales tax on food and beverages for two years if she wins a fresh mandate.

Her comments saw 40-year yields surge more than a quarter of a percentage point to a record on Tuesday, marking the biggest jump since Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff bombshell in April.

The moves saw US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent call Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama following a lift in Treasury yields.

But they fell back Wednesday after Katayama called for “everyone in the market to calm down” and highlighted rising tax revenues and the country’s lowest reliance on debt issuance in three decades.

However, Katsutoshi Inadome at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management warned: “Katayama’s comments will have some impact on the market, but these are not the type of moves that can be stopped with just verbal intervention.

“Bonds will likely be bought today, but the upside momentum is likely to gradually fade.”

READ ALSO: Trump Heads For Davos Maelstrom Over Greenland

Key Figures At Around 0230 GMT

Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.6 per cent at 52,693.43 (break)

Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.2 per cent at 26,536.78

Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.4 per cent at 4,131.77

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1729 from $1.1719 on Tuesday

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3454 from $1.3433

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 158.00 yen from 158.21 yen

Euro/pound: DOWN at 87.18 pence from 87.23 pence

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.0 per cent at $59.75 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.2 per cent at $64.18 per barrel

New York – Dow: DOWN 1.8 per cent at 48,488.59 (close)

London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.7 per cent at 10,126.78 (close)

AFP

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US President Donald Trump descends on Davos for a showdown with European leaders Wednesday as his bid to seize Greenland threatens to tear the transatlantic alliance apart.

Trump mocked the Europeans a day before heading to the World Economic Forum, where he will be the star of a dark, self-made drama over the fate of the autonomous Danish territory.

But leaders gathered at the Swiss ski resort have closed ranks against Trump’s aggressive stance, with French President Emmanuel Macron vowing to stand up against “bullies” and the EU promising an “unflinching” response.

Asked how far he was prepared to go to acquire Greenland from Denmark, a fellow NATO member, Trump told reporters: “You’ll find out.”

Later, as he left the White House, the president admitted he had “no idea” how the trip to Davos would pan out.

It got off to an inauspicious start when a “minor electrical issue” forced his presidential jet to turn back shortly after takeoff, and Trump and his entourage had to switch to another plane.

Trump’s eagerly awaited speech at the annual gathering of the world’s economic and political elite, which he is attending for the first time in six years, is scheduled for 2:30 pm (1330 GMT).

But as the biggest rift opens between Washington and Europe in decades over his Greenland ambitions, Trump said he would have a number of meetings on the issue at Davos.

‘Downward Spiral’

Trump insists mineral-rich Greenland is vital for US and NATO security against Russia and China as a melting Arctic opens up and the superpowers jostle for strategic advancement.

He has turned up the pressure by threatening tariffs of up to 25 percent on eight European countries for backing Denmark, prompting Europe to threaten countermeasures against the United States.

Trump dismissed European threats to fire a trade “bazooka” at the United States.

“Anything they do with us…all I have to do is meet it, and it’s going to go ricocheting backward,” he said in an interview with News Nation.

“But we’re not looking into that. We’ll probably be able to work something out, possibly even during the next few days,” he added.

At Davos on Tuesday, Macron, in sunglasses because of a burst blood vessel, warned against US attempts to “subordinate Europe”, and blasted Trump’s tariff threats as “unacceptable.”

Macron was the subject of Trump’s mockery as he publicly revealed a text message from the French leader proposing a G7 summit in Paris on Thursday, on Greenland, as well as on Ukraine.

Trump later said he would not join any such meeting, while Macron clarified to AFP that no gathering was scheduled.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, meanwhile, warned that Trump risked plunging US ties with the European Union into a “downward spiral”.

And Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney — who has sought to reduce his own country’s dependence on Washington since Trump called for it to become the 51st US state — won a standing ovation at Davos for his stance.

“Canada stands firmly with Greenland and Denmark,” Carney said.

In his Davos speech, the White House said Trump wanted to focus on the US economy amid a cost-of-living crisis that threatens his Republicans in the 2026 midterms.

But the US president’s extraordinary assertion of US power on the world stage one year into his second term, means Greenland will form the backdrop to the address.

READ ALSO: Davos: FG Aims For Less Borrowing, More Investment — Wale Edun

‘End Of NATO’

Greenland’s prime minister said on Tuesday his tiny population of 57,000 must be prepared for military force.

Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda told AFP at Davos that any such move by the United States against a fellow ally “would be the end of NATO.”

Trump said he had done “more for NATO than anyone” and questioned whether allies would help the United States — despite the fact that Denmark was among those who did after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

On Thursday, meanwhile, Trump is set to formally announce the first charter of his so-called “Board of Peace,” a body for resolving international conflicts with a $1 billion price tag for permanent membership.

The board was originally conceived to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza, but a draft of the charter seen by AFP does not appear to limit its role to the occupied Palestinian territory.

AFP

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British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline on Tuesday agreed to buy US biotech company RAPT Therapeutics, which is developing a food allergy drug, in a deal valued at $2.2 billion.

The acquisition hands GSK access to ozureprubart, a long-acting antibody in clinical development for the treatment of food allergies.

GSK said in a statement that the drug “offers the potential for less frequent dosing of every 12 weeks”, compared to current treatments, which involve injections every two to four weeks.

More than 17 million people in the United States are diagnosed with food allergies, with more than 1.3 million suffering severe reactions, according to GSK.

“If GSK can crack the formula for a more convenient treatment, it stands to potentially make big bucks,” said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

California-based RAPT specialises in developing therapies for inflammatory and immunologic diseases.

READ ALSO: Seplat’s 300 MMscfd ANOH Project Achieves First Gas

Under the deal, GSK will pay $58 per share, valuing the company at $2.2 billion.

The transaction is expected to be finalised in the current first quarter.

GSK’s share price was down 1.6 percent on London’s top-tier FTSE 100 index, which was trading more than one percent lower overall on fresh US tariff concerns.

AFP

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Seplat Energy Plc has announced that the 300 Million Standard Cubic Feet per Day (MMscfd) ANOH gas project has achieved first gas.

A statement by the company on Tuesday noted that the feat followed completion of the 11km Indorama gas export pipeline and receipt of regulatory approval from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

“On Friday, 16th January 2026, ANOH Gas Processing Company (AGPC) commenced gas supply to Indorama, under a firm and interruptible offtake Gas Sales Agreements (GSAs).

“To enable the flow of gas, the four upstream wells, which had been on standby since November 2025, were brought online.

“Since first gas, wet gas production has been stabilizing, delivering 40-52 MMscfd of processed gas directly from the ANOH gas plant to the Indorama Petrochemical Plant”, the statement read in part.

It noted that condensate production has reached 2.0-2.5 kboepd and is expected to increase with gas production as the plant ramps up to design capacity.

In addition, it said preparations are underway to initiate sales of processed gas to the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) with an offtake agreement structured on an interruptible basis and will support the gas plant to further scale production towards full design capacity of 300MMscfd.

“Meanwhile, the construction of the OB3 pipeline export route by Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), originally designated as the primary channel for ANOH gas supply to the domestic market, has resumed, and a revised completion date will be communicated in due course”, the statement added.

The ANOH gas plant was developed by AGPC, an incorporated joint venture between Seplat Energy and the NGIC.

READ ALSO: Davos: FG Aims For Less Borrowing, More Investment — Wale Edun

The integrated plant consists of two 150 MMscfd gas processing units, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) recovery units, condensate stabilisation units, a 16MW power plant, and other supporting facilities, and has been built to operate with zero routine flares.

Across the unitised field of OML 53 and OML 21, the ANOH gas plant unlocks an estimated 4.6 Tcf condensate-rich gas resource base.

“Seplat’s working interest 2P reserves in the unitised field, as booked at year-end 2024, stood at 0.8 Tcf.

“Seplat will derive value from two distinct income streams: wet gas sales from OML 53 to the ANOH gas plant, and dividends from its 50% equity ownership in AGPC.

“The LPG produced from ANOH, combined with the LPG production at Sapele and the Bonny River Terminal (BRT), will make Seplat a leading supplier of clean cooking fuel to the domestic market.

“In addition, the ANOH gas plant will process the flared gas from the Ohaji field, enabling Seplat to achieve its onshore End of Routine Flaring programme, a key commercial and sustainability initiative for the company.

“The ANOH gas plant has been developed without a single recordable Lost Time Incident (LTI) across 17.5-million-man hours, a testament to the focus of the whole team on safe and secure operations.

Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy, commenting on the feat, said: “ANOH is the first of the seven critical gas development projects identified by Federal Government of Nigeria to commence operations.

“It is an important strategic project for Seplat, our partner NGIC, and Nigeria as a whole. It has taken a significant amount of commitment and hard work to complete the project in a part of the onshore Niger Delta with limited gas pipeline infrastructure, and we are extremely proud of this achievement. 

“This is our third major gas processing facility onshore and increases our Joint Venture gross gas processing capacity onshore to over 850 MMscfd.

“ANOH will provide material income streams for Seplat, reduce our carbon intensity and contribute significantly to the 2030 production target of 200 kboepd, set at our recent CMD. It will also increase energy access for Nigerians in terms of both power and clean cooking fuel for the local communities, while advancing delivery of our mission to support economic prosperity in Nigeria.”

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The Federal Government has said it plans to invest more in the economy, rely more on domestic resources, and reduce its dependence on borrowing.

Minister of Finance Wale Edun said this while speaking on Bloomberg Television at the ongoing 56^th World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday.

“The issue now is to focus on revenue, focus on domestic resource mobilization,” he said. “We’re hoping to rely less on borrowing,” he added.

The minister’s remarks come as Nigeria implements fiscal reforms aimed at strengthening its economy.

Edun emphasised the need to focus on revenue generation.

The Minister added that while the country could access international bond markets, if necessary, the government’s priority is to mobilise its own resources.

He outlined the government’s efforts to raise tax revenue and strengthen fiscal sustainability amid mounting global economic pressures.

Edun also highlighted strategies aimed at reducing borrowing while expanding revenue generation.

READ ALSO: FG Opens Applications For PTDF-Funded 2026 Overseas Scholarships

The minister also noted that Nigeria remains open to international capital markets if needed, but domestic reforms are central to the government’s fiscal policy.

Since taking office in 2023, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has introduced several economic reforms to drive growth and stabilise public finances.

These measures include removing currency restrictions, ending a costly fuel subsidy, and overhauling the nation’s tax framework.

Other measures introduced by FG include the tax reforms, which aim to raise revenue to 18% of GDP next year, up from roughly 14% currently.

The Minister also noted that the FG’s policies target long-term economic sustainability while reducing reliance on external debt.

These initiatives, he emphasised, are part of broader efforts to modernize Nigeria’s economy and strengthen investor confidence.

Economic forecasts indicate Nigeria’s reforms are showing early signs of progress. The International Monetary Fund upgraded Nigeria’s growth forecast to 4.4% for 2026, up from an estimated 4.2% in 2025.

IMF’s projections come despite weaker oil prices, Nigeria’s top export and major foreign-exchange earner.

It also noted that government reforms are expected to further stabilize revenue collection and support fiscal sustainability.

“The combination of domestic resource mobilisation and ongoing reforms underscores Nigeria’s effort to reduce debt dependence and strengthen its economic foundations,” the IMF had said.

Edun will use the Davos meeting to address investor concerns around policy consistency, inflation, foreign exchange stability, and fiscal sustainability.

Nigeria’s message at WEF 2026 is shaped by wider global realities affecting emerging markets.

The Federal Government will also debut its first-ever official national pavilion, Nigeria House Davos, at the Forum.

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Global tourism hit a new record level in 2025 with 1.52 billion international tourist arrivals recorded worldwide, driven by increases in Asia and Africa, UN Tourism said Tuesday.

“Demand for travel remained high throughout 2025, despite high inflation in tourism services and uncertainty from geopolitical tensions,” the secretary general of the Madrid-based body, Shaikha Alnuwais, said in a statement.

Tourism in Nigeria is a growing sector highlighting rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes (forests, savannas, beaches), vibrant arts (Nollywood, music), and unique attractions like Zuma Rock, Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, and Obudu Cattle Ranch, with potential for eco-tourism, beach tourism, and cultural experiences centered on its over 500 ethnic groups.

Key areas include Lagos for city life and beaches, the Jos Plateau for cooler climates, and historical sites like the Badagry Slave Route, all supported by a developing infrastructure and focus on cultural exports like music and film. 

Key Attractions & Experiences

• Cultural & Historical: Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Badagry Slave Route, Nike Art Gallery, Tafawa Balewa Square.
• Natural Wonders: Zuma Rock (Abuja), Olumo Rock (Abeokuta), Obudu Cattle Ranch (Cross River), Ikogosi Warm Springs (Ekiti), Kura Falls (Plateau).
• Beaches & Coastal: Tarkwa Bay, Bar Beach (Victoria Island), Coconut Beach (Badagry), Lekki Beach.
• Wildlife & Nature: Lekki Conservation Centre, general eco-tourism opportunities in diverse terrains. 

Nigeria’s Tourism Focus Areas

• Cultural Tourism: Leveraging Nollywood, music, fashion, food, and festivals of diverse ethnic groups (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba).
• Eco-Tourism: Developing national parks, hiking trails, waterfalls, and wildlife viewing.
• Coastal & Marine Tourism: Expanding beach resorts and water sports facilities.
• Adventure Tourism: Kajuru Castle, Obudu Ranch, trekking. 

READ ALSO: FG Opens Applications For PTDF-Funded 2026 Overseas Scholarships

Nigeria’s Economic & Future Outlook

• The sector is growing, with projections for increased tourism receipts.
• Government policy aims to generate foreign exchange, create jobs, and promote national integration.
• Significant investment potential exists in developing heritage sites, eco-tourism, and infrastructure, like lodges and cable systems

AFP/ Channels Television

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The Federal Government has announced the commencement of applications for the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund Overseas Scholarship Scheme.

In a post shared via X( Formerly Twitter) by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, on Monday, the government said the scheme avails opportunities for Nigerian postgraduate students to study in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.

“FG has announced the commencement of applications for 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarships overseas,” the post said.

According to the statement on the scholarship board website, the scheme targets MSc and PhD candidates in disciplines relevant to the oil and gas sector, offering benefits such as tuition, return flight tickets, accommodation and living allowances, health insurance, and bench fees where applicable.

The PTDF statement said, “The 2026 Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships provide access to world-class training, research facilities, and global expertise, while developing indigenous capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”

Requirements for MSc applicants include a minimum of Second Class Lower (2.2) in a first degree (or 2.1), completion of the NYSC programme, computer literacy, and five O-Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics. PhD applicants must also submit a research proposal of up to five pages outlining objectives, methodology, and data collection approaches.

READ ALSO: Gov Yusuf Briefs Tinubu On Security, Infrastructure Priorities

For PhD applicants in the United Kingdom, scholarships will follow a split-site arrangement, allowing research to be conducted between the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and selected UK partner universities, including Robert Gordon University, University of Strathclyde, and University of Portsmouth.

The agency emphasised that the scholarships are highly competitive. “Only candidates who demonstrate outstanding merit and suitability will be considered,” the statement said.

It added that applicants will be evaluated based on academic credentials, research proposals, membership in professional bodies, and the relevance of their studies to the oil and gas industry.

“All applicants must ensure their National Identity Number (NIN) is verified prior to application, and multiple applications or submission of falsified documents will result in automatic disqualification,” the PTDF statement added.

Interested candidates are advised to apply online at scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng for approved programmes at PTDF partner institutions.

The closing date for applications is 27th February.

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