TETFund Suspends Foreign Scholarships Citing High Costs, Scholar Abscondment

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced the suspension of the foreign component of its TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) Intervention, citing the rising cost of overseas training and increasing cases of scholars abandoning their studies.

This decision, set to take effect from January 1, 2025, was communicated through a letter signed by TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono. The letter, dated November 25, 2024, was addressed to heads of beneficiary institutions, including vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts.

The letter stated that the excessive costs associated with training in foreign institutions and the high rate of abscondment prompted the suspension. Echono highlighted the need to prioritize local training in Nigerian institutions, emphasizing the benefits of conserving foreign exchange, enhancing local capacity, and significantly increasing the number of scholarship beneficiaries.

TETFund also noted that scholars currently enrolled in foreign institutions under the programme would continue receiving sponsorship until they complete their studies.