The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced the immediate suspension of its foreign scholarships for lecturers of tertiary institutions across the country, effective January 1, 2025.

The announcement was made in a circular dated November 25, 2024, and signed by its executive secretary, Sonny Echono.

Mr Echono cited a higher cost of funding lecturers’ training abroad and alleged absconding of scholars for the decision.

“In response to the 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 foreign component of the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) Intervention,” the circular stated.

Mr Echono noted that the suspension would deepen efforts to save resources while “reducing pressure on the foreign exchange rate and boosting investment and local capacity in the Nigerian tertiary institutions.”

He advised beneficiary institutions to implement their training locally, adding that the suspension would increase the number of programme beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Mr Echono in October said over 4,980 academics from Nigerian public universities received N10.8 billion worth of scholarships for masters, doctoral and post-doctoral degrees, among others, between June 2023 and July 2024.

However, he noted that at least 137 lecturers absconded their studies to pursue other opportunities abroad.

He revealed this while appearing before the House of Representatives, highlighting how Nigerian educationists use the board as a stepping stone to leave the country for better opportunities.