TETFund to Halt Foreign Scholarships for Nigerian Academics by 2025, Cites High Costs and Abscondment

TETFund has announced it will suspend foreign scholarships for Nigerian academics by January 2025, citing high costs, abscondment issues, and a shift toward strengthening local and transnational education partnerships.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced plans to suspend its foreign scholarship program for Nigerian academics under the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) scheme. This decision, set to take effect in January 2025, was revealed in a statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, on Thursday.

TETFund cited the escalating costs of training in foreign institutions and the increasing number of scholars failing to return to Nigeria after their programs as primary reasons for the suspension. The agency’s board of trustees has approved the decision, which will not affect scholars already enrolled in foreign programs.

“Scholars currently in the program will continue to receive funding until they complete their studies,” said Mr. Oniyangi.

The suspension is also aimed at conserving foreign exchange, enhancing investment in local education, and significantly increasing the number of beneficiaries of TETFund interventions.

The decision follows financial challenges faced by Nigerian scholars abroad. Last year, scholars in Malaysia, India, and Kenya petitioned TETFund for additional allowances due to inflation and the depreciation of the naira.

Mr. Oniyangi explained that while TETFund has implemented measures since 2019 to shield scholars from currency fluctuations, compliance issues by some institutions have undermined these efforts. For instance, institutions failing to keep scholarship funds in domiciliary accounts have left scholars vulnerable to exchange rate volatility.

TETFund is shifting its focus to local capacity building and transnational education. The agency is working with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to implement guidelines for transnational partnerships. Under these arrangements, leading universities from countries like the UK, the US, and Malaysia will collaborate with Nigerian institutions to offer high-quality programs locally.

“Beneficiary institutions are urged to prioritize training needs within Nigeria and ensure compliance with these new directives,” TETFund stated.

Established in 2011, TETFund oversees the administration and utilization of a three percent education tax collected.

READ ALSO: Many TETFund Projects Have Remained Abandoned Since 2014 – ASUU

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, PREMIUM TIMES