The Nigerian government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has announced the suspension of foreign scholarships for lecturers in tertiary institutions nationwide, effective January 1, 2025. This move aims to address the high cost of foreign training and the increasing rate of abscondment by scholars, as stated in a press release by Abdulmumin Oniyangi, TETFund’s Director of Public Affairs.
Reasons for the Suspension
1. Cost Efficiency: The escalating cost of foreign education prompted the decision to reallocate resources to local institutions.
2. Abscondment Concerns: At least 137 lecturers who received scholarships abandoned their studies to pursue opportunities abroad.
3. Foreign Exchange Savings: The suspension aims to ease pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.
4. Boosting Local Capacity: Redirecting resources locally is expected to enhance Nigeria’s academic infrastructure and increase the number of program beneficiaries.Between June 2023 and July 2024, TETFund awarded scholarships totaling N10.8 billion to over 4,980 academics for master’s, doctoral, and post-doctoral programs.
Call for Inclusion of Private Universities
Prof. Abel Olayinka, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, has urged the federal government to allow private universities to benefit from TETFund and the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Speaking at the 17th Convocation Lecture of Lead City University, Ibadan, Olayinka argued that:
• Private universities, despite being privately funded, contribute to the broader public good.
• Their students, who are required to serve in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), are assets to Nigeria’s socioeconomic development.He stated that these institutions should receive funding and support, emphasizing their role in resolving issues of access, affordability, and quality in Nigeria’s university system.
Implications
The suspension marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s education policy, focusing on strengthening local capacity while addressing foreign exchange concerns. However, questions remain about whether local institutions can match the quality of training offered by foreign programs. Additionally, the exclusion of private universities from TETFund benefits continues to be a debated issue in the quest for a more equitable education system.
