TETFund has declared an immediate halt to its foreign scholarship program for tertiary institution lecturers nationwide, starting from January 1, 2025, SAVANNAH NEWSNOW REPORTS.
This decision, outlined in a circular on November 25, 2024, and authorized by Executive Secretary Sonny Echono, attributes the suspension to increased funding costs for lecturers’ overseas training and the issue of scholars abandoning their posts.
“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,” the circular stated.
Mr Echono stated that the suspension will enhance resource conservation efforts, alleviate pressure on the foreign exchange rate, and stimulate investment and local capacity in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
He encouraged beneficiary institutions to conduct their training domestically, pointing out that the suspension will expand the number of programme recipients. Previously, in October, Mr Echono mentioned that between June 2023 and July 2024, over 4,980 academics from Nigerian public universities were awarded scholarships worth N10.8 billion for various degrees including masters, doctoral, and post-doctoral studies.
However, he also reported that at least 137 lecturers abandoned their studies to pursue opportunities overseas.
This information was disclosed during his appearance before the House of Representatives, where he discussed how Nigerian educationists often use the board as a means to exit the country in search of better prospects.
