TETFund Announces Suspension of Foreign Scholarships for Academics from January 2025
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) announced that it will cease funding foreign scholarships for Nigerian academics under the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) scheme, starting January 2025. The decision was made in response to the rising costs of training at foreign institutions and the high rate of scholars absconding while studying abroad.
The announcement was made through a statement issued by TETFund’s spokesperson, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, on Thursday. He revealed that the agency’s board of trustees had approved the suspension, which will be enforced from January 1, 2025. However, the suspension will not affect scholars who are already enrolled in foreign institutions. These scholars will continue to receive funding until they complete their studies.
The move aims to address the financial burden of sponsoring foreign education and redirect resources to strengthening the local education system. By focusing on local investments, TETFund hopes to enhance the capacity of Nigerian tertiary institutions and increase the number of beneficiaries of its programs. The suspension is also expected to help alleviate pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
TETFund believes that this change will encourage more academics to pursue higher education and research within Nigeria, promoting long-term growth and development in the country’s educational sector. The Fund’s decision highlights a shift towards prioritizing local capacity building over foreign training, in line to advance the Nigerian education system.
