Somto BisinaThe Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has long been an essential pillar in Nigeria’s pursuit of educational excellence. Among its many initiatives, one notable program involves sponsoring students to study abroad, giving them the opportunity to access quality education and acquire advanced degrees.
However, a concerning trend has emerged: a significant number of beneficiaries, after completing their programs, have chosen not to return to their home country.
This issue came to light during a recent hearing before the House of Representatives Ad-hoc committee, which is investigating the alleged mismanagement of N2.3tn tertiary education tax by TETFund.
Sony Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, raised the alarm over the high number of students who have absconded, leaving their obligations unfulfilled.
In his testimony, he disclosed that the preliminary assessment of 40 institutions revealed over 137 individuals who had not returned to Nigeria after benefiting from TETFund’s scholarships.
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Echono expressed deep concern about the gravity of the situation and emphasized the urgent need to address it. While Echono acknowledged the pursuit of better opportunities abroad is not discouraged, he stressed that using TETFund’s scholarship or sponsorship to achieve this goal is not acceptable.
The primary objective of the scholarship program is to develop human capital within the country and encourage beneficiaries to return home, contributing their expertise to the nation’s growth and development.
“We are not against people looking for greener pastures, but do so on your own, not through our scholarship or our sponsorship,” Echono asserted, highlighting the scholarship’s intention to promote patriotism and dedication to the nation’s advancement.
The repercussions of this trend extend beyond mere disappointment for the fund; it poses a significant burden on the guarantors who are held responsible for the expenses incurred on behalf of the absconding scholars. Echono empathized with these individuals and recognized the hardships they face due to the scholars’ decisions.
To tackle this challenge, TETFund is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop stringent and effective measures to ensure beneficiaries fulfil their obligations. Strengthening existing regulations will be a crucial step in this process.
By reinforcing the commitment of scholarship recipients to return home after completing their programs, TETFund aims to safeguard the program’s original purpose and maximize its impact on the nation’s development.
However, despite these efforts, the situation remains a major crisis. Nairametrics reports that some scholars continue to enjoy the benefits of the scholarship, obtain higher degrees, and then choose not to come back to Nigeria.
As a result, the exchange rate crisis has compelled TETFund to consider suspending foreign scholarships until the issue is adequately addressed.
This crisis underscores the importance of balancing the aspiration for global knowledge with the responsibility to give back to one’s country. While studying abroad offers valuable exposure and expertise, it is crucial for beneficiaries to remember their role in building a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.
TETFund’s scholarship program should serve as a catalyst for positive change within the nation, and it requires the commitment and dedication of its recipients to achieve this goal.
As a teacher in a federal school
And I want to study abroad for my masters programs am I eligible, through tetfund