Repatriation measures underway to check defaulters…
By Folaranmi Ajayi
A recent report from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, reveals that 137 Nigerian academics, who received substantial government-funded scholarships to study abroad, have failed to return.
Between June 2023 and July 2024, TETFund invested N10.8 billion in postgraduate scholarships for 4,980 lecturers, with a specific portion supporting Ph.D. and postdoctoral training in foreign universities.
However, 137 beneficiaries reportedly absconded, prompting TETFund to initiate repatriation measures to recover the lost investment and address the growing trend of scholarship defaults.
Nearly 5,000 Nigerian lecturers have so far received $14 million in postgraduate scholarships under President Tinubu-led administration.
Between June 2023 and July 2024, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) awarded scholarships valued at over $14 million to 4,980 lecturers from Nigerian public universities, enabling them to pursue advanced degrees both locally and internationally.
The report further confirms that through this initiative, 68 scholars have undertaken Ph.D. programs abroad, while more than 1,150 pursued advanced studies within Nigeria. Additionally, TETFund provided specialized postdoctoral training opportunities for 31 academics, aiming to foster expertise across diverse academic fields.
This substantial investment reflects Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing educational standards and supporting the professional growth of its university lecturers.
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