TETFund Scholarship: Foreign Scholarships Suspended from 2025

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund – TETFund scholarship suspends its foreign program for academic staff, effective January 1, 2025.

This decision, approved by the TETFund Board of Trustees, reflects the increasing costs associated with foreign training and concerns over the failure of some scholars to return to Nigeria after completing their programs.

Why the Suspension of the TETFund Scholarship?

In a circular signed by the Executive Secretary, Arch. Sonny S. T. Echono, TETFund highlighted its focus on:

• Strengthening Local Capacity: Redirecting investments toward developing Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
• Reducing Dependence on Foreign Exchange: Minimizing reliance on international training programs to conserve national resources.
• Enhancing Professional Development Locally: Encouraging beneficiary institutions to establish and implement local training initiatives for academic staff.

Implications of the New Policy

Although foreign TETFund scholarships will no longer be available from 2025, current scholars studying abroad under the program will continue to receive funding until their intervention period ends. This ensures that TETFund honors its commitments to ongoing projects.

Focus on Nigerian Institutions

The policy shift prioritizes local capacity development by channeling resources into Nigerian institutions. This approach is expected to create a more sustainable and self-reliant framework for professional development within the country’s academic community.

A Strategic Step for the Future

The suspension of foreign scholarships under the TETFund scholarship program is a strategic move to enhance Nigeria’s tertiary education system, foster self-sufficiency, and ensure that academic staff development remains aligned with national priorities.

For academic staff and beneficiary institutions, this change underscores the importance of leveraging local resources to build a stronger, more resilient education sector in Nigeria.

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