The Board of Trustees of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced the suspension of the foreign component of its Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) Intervention, effective from 1 January 2025.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, TETFund’s Director of Public Affairs, cited the prohibitive cost of training in foreign institutions and the high rate of scholars absconding as reasons for the decision.
Existing Scholars Unaffected
The statement clarified that scholars already enrolled in foreign institutions under the programme would continue to receive funding until they complete their studies.
Focus on Domestic Capacity
The suspension aims to:
- Conserve foreign exchange and ease pressure on exchange rates.
- Boost investment in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
- Increase the number of beneficiaries of the intervention.
Collaboration for Trans-National Education
To mitigate the impact, TETFund, in partnership with the National Universities Commission (NUC), is implementing the recently approved Trans-National Education Guidelines. This scheme will enable leading institutions from countries such as the UK, USA, Malaysia, and Brazil to offer programmes in collaboration with Nigerian universities, maintaining the same quality as in their home countries.
Advisory to Beneficiary Institutions
TETFund has urged beneficiary institutions to prioritise staff training within Nigerian institutions and to comply strictly with this directive.
This policy shift represents a strategic move to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of Nigeria’s tertiary education system while addressing the challenges associated with foreign scholarships.