Why TETFund Stopped Sending Lecturers Abroad for Studies

In a strategic policy shift, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has officially discontinued its foreign scholarship programme for Nigerian lecturers, citing multiple economic, academic, and geopolitical reasons. This development is set to reshape how capacity development and research enhancement are conducted in Nigerian tertiary institutions moving forward.

A Shift from Foreign to Local Scholarship Focus

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, revealed during a policy briefing that the foreign scholarship component of the TETFund Academic Staff Training and Development (AST&D) programme was discontinued after thorough consultations with stakeholders and policymakers.

According to Echono, the decision stems from the rising cost of foreign exchange, geopolitical instability, and increased visa denials by countries such as the UK, US, and Canada. He also emphasized the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria’s local institutions and build sustainable capacity domestically, rather than continuously relying on overseas educational systems.

“There were increasing challenges in funding foreign scholarships due to exchange rate volatility. Also, many of our scholars faced denials and delays in visa issuance from foreign embassies,” said Echono.

Key Reasons Behind the Discontinuation

The decision aligns with broader national policy goals to maximize local opportunities while navigating international economic constraints. Below are the major drivers behind TETFund’s decision:

Key Factor	Description
Foreign Exchange Challenges	Nigeria’s fluctuating forex rates made it extremely expensive to sponsor scholars abroad.
Visa and Immigration Issues	Many lecturers experienced visa denials and long delays, disrupting academic timelines.
Brain Drain Concerns	Scholars often stayed back after their programmes, depriving Nigeria of intellectual capital.
Need for Local Capacity Building	Emphasis is shifting to empowering Nigerian universities to deliver world-class education locally.
Geopolitical Tensions	Unstable foreign environments and diplomatic bottlenecks also contributed to the decision.

Renewed Focus on Local Institutions

TETFund has now redirected its resources toward improving Nigeria’s higher education system by funding local PhD and Master’s degree programmes, upgrading research facilities, and establishing centres of excellence in selected universities.

Echono noted that TETFund’s local training programmes have recorded “higher success rates, lower costs, and stronger institutional collaborations.” He also announced plans to expand partnerships between Nigerian universities and local industries for research, innovation, and staff development.

Industry Experts React

Education experts and university stakeholders have expressed mixed reactions to the policy shift. While some lament the loss of international exposure for Nigerian academics, others commend the move as a long-overdue investment in Nigeria’s self-reliance and education sovereignty.

Dr. Hafsat Bello, a professor at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, stated:

“This is an opportunity to refocus our priorities and raise the quality of training available in our own institutions. However, the government must ensure our universities are well-funded and internationally competitive.”

What This Means for Nigerian Lecturers

With this policy now in place, Nigerian lecturers seeking further academic development will need to apply for locally sponsored postgraduate programmes under TETFund. Institutions are also encouraged to forge new academic collaborations within Africa and the Global South to promote South-South academic exchange programmes.

This strategic redirection reflects Nigeria’s broader policy to optimize internal resources while adapting to global educational and economic realities.

Conclusion

The discontinuation of foreign scholarships for lecturers marks a significant milestone in the transformation of Nigeria’s higher education landscape. While the move comes with challenges, it also presents an opportunity to redefine academic excellence within the country’s borders.

For TETFund, the focus is now clear: build from within, invest in local institutions, and promote educational sovereignty. How successfully this policy translates into improved quality of teaching and research will depend on continuous support, accountability, and systemic reforms in Nigeria’s higher education sector.

Source: Why we discontinued foreign scholarship programme for lecturers — TETFund