By Vera E. Abah
THE TERTIARY Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced the immediate suspension of its foreign scholarships to academic staff of tertiary institutions across the country.
While implementation of the new policy is with effect from January 1, 2025, academic staff who are already enrolled in foreign institutions will continue to draw down on the sponsorship up to the end of their respective programmes.
The announcement, contained in a circular to all vice chancellors of universities, rectors of polytechnics and provosts of colleges of education, dated November 25, 2024, is personally signed by TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono.
Arc. Echono cited higher cost of funding lecturers’ training abroad due to devaluation of the naira and abscondment of beneficiary scholars for the decision.
“In response to the excessive cost of training in foreign institutions, coupled with the high rate of abscondment of scholars, the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved the suspension of Foreign component of the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) Intervention,” Echono stated in the circular, noting that the suspension would deepen efforts to save resources while “reducing pressure on the foreign exchange rate and boosting investment and local capacity in the Nigerian tertiary institutions.”
He advised beneficiary institutions to implement their training locally, adding that the suspension would increase the number of programme beneficiaries.
Echono had in October while appearing before the House of Representatives, revealed that Nigerian educationists use the board as a stepping stone to leave the country for better opportunities.
While noting that at least 137 lecturers absconded from their studies to pursue other opportunities abroad, he stated that over 4,980 academics from Nigerian public universities received N10.8 billion worth of scholarships for masters, doctoral and post-doctoral degrees, among others, between June 2023 and July 2024.
The circular, entitled: “Suspension of Foreign Component of TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) Intervention,” reads:
“In response to the current excessive cost of Training in Foreign Institutions, coupled with the high rate of abscondment of scholars, the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved the suspension of the Foreign component of the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) Intervention.
“Beneficiary institutions are accordingly advised to prioritize their training needs for implementation locally (in Nigerian Institutions). It is expected that this will conserve and reduce pressure on foreign exchange rate, boost investment and local capacity in our institutions, while significantly increasing the number of beneficiaries of the intervention.
“The effective date for this Policy is 1st January 2025. Scholars already enrolled in foreign institutions will continue to draw down on the sponsorship up to the end of their respective programmes.
“To facilitate implementation of this Policy, please bring the content of this circular to the attention of your staff and kindly ensure strict compliance.”
