TETFund has announced plans to suspend its foreign scholarship program for Nigerian academics under the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) scheme, effective January 2025. The decision was made due to rising costs of foreign training, increasing cases of scholars not returning to Nigeria after their programs, and a shift toward strengthening local and transnational education partnerships.
TETFund spokesperson, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, stated that while the suspension would not affect scholars currently enrolled in foreign programs, it was necessary to conserve foreign exchange and boost local education investment. Scholars already in the program will continue to receive funding until they complete their studies.
The agency also addressed financial challenges faced by Nigerian scholars abroad, particularly in Malaysia, India, and Kenya, who petitioned for additional allowances due to inflation and currency depreciation. TETFund had implemented measures to shield scholars from currency fluctuations since 2019, but issues such as institutions failing to maintain scholarship funds in domiciliary accounts have complicated these efforts.
TETFund is now shifting focus to local capacity building and transnational partnerships. It is working with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to establish guidelines for collaborations between Nigerian institutions and leading universities from countries like the UK, US, and Malaysia to offer high-quality programs locally. TETFund has urged beneficiary institutions to prioritize training needs within Nigeria and comply with these new directives.
CREDIT: Allschoolabs, Allschool.ng
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