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 a growing trend of scholars absconding.
This decision, effective January 1, 2025, was communicated in a letter signed by TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, and addressed to heads of beneficiary institutions, including vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts.
The letter, dated November 25, 2024, stated:
“In response to the current excessive cost of training in foreign institutions, coupled with the high rate of abscondment of scholars, the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved the suspension of the foreign component of the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) Intervention.
“Beneficiary institutions are accordingly advised to prioritise their training needs for implementation locally in Nigerian institutions.”
Echono emphasized that this measure is intended to conserve foreign exchange, enhance local institutional capacity, and significantly expand the number of beneficiaries of the intervention.
However, he clarified that scholars already enrolled in foreign institutions under the programme would continue to receive funding until they complete their studies.
