The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has disclosed that more than 137 students sponsored on scholarship abroad have absconded, refusing to return to Nigeria after completing their programs. The revelation was made by the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Sonny Echono, during his appearance before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the alleged mismanagement of N2.3 trillion tertiary education tax by TETFUND.
According to Echono, the scholars who were sponsored by TETFUND for higher education overseas have chosen not to return to the country, in contravention of the scholarship’s requirements. He explained that scholarship recipients are expected to come back to Nigeria and have a guarantor, but some have failed to do so, causing a major crisis. The guarantors have faced undue hardship as they are held responsible for repaying all the expenses incurred on behalf of the scholars who abscond.
TETFUND is currently collaborating with stakeholders to implement stringent and effective measures against those who refuse to return to Nigeria, thereby preventing Nigerians from benefiting from their expertise. Echono stated that the fund may declare such individuals persona non grata and seek cooperation with foreign embassies to enforce repayment or restrictions on their employment opportunities in their host countries.
The high number of absconders has prompted TETFUND to consider suspending foreign scholarships due to the exchange rate crisis. Echono pointed out that while some taxes are paid to TETFUND in foreign currencies, the apex bank insists on TETFUND sourcing foreign exchange by itself when paying fees for scholars abroad. This has resulted in additional costs as the naira allocation cannot cover the dollar requirement for training.
TETFUND is now exploring options to conduct most of its training locally in experienced, first-generation universities, and other specialized institutions within the country to manage foreign exchange variations. The fund is currently owed N371.3 billion by the federal government, of which N46 billion has been repaid so far.
The House of Representatives ad hoc committee chairman, Oluwole Oke, clarified that the probe is not intended to witch-hunt but to prevent the misuse of public funds.
