The issue of Nigerian university lecturers studying abroad on TETFund (Tertiary Education Trust Fund) sponsorship and subsequently absconding has become a significant concern for the Fund’s management. This was highlighted by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, during a press briefing at the TETFund Management retreat in Makurdi, Benue State, as reported by John Charles.informationguidenigeria
Echono described the number of lecturers who have absconded under these circumstances as “alarming.” To address this issue, TETFund is considering implementing both “soft” and “hard” measures.NYSC Portal
These measures would include requiring the absconded lecturers to refund the money spent on their sponsorship or facing repatriation.
The situation presents a challenge for TETFund, which invests in the education and training of Nigerian university lecturers as part of its mandate to enhance the quality of higher education in the country. The potential actions discussed by Echono reflect TETFund‘s commitment to ensuring accountability and the fulfillment of the obligations by those who benefit from its sponsorship programs.JAMB Portal
He said, “I don’t want to give figure because it’s alarming it’s very sad that this opportunity that is being given is being abused.
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“The figure is comprehensive. That is why it’s a bit large because there are others who have come back home but did not complete the minimum of their bond before deciding to relocate or what is called japa syndrome.
“We have database now, which we are refining each time because the instiutions are the one submitting the report. Although it is a difficult thing to get accurate report but for some, it’s not that they absconded but they exceeded their course period.
“But some have extension in their programme but we have a very good idea and the number is not encouraging and I can tell you that even the security agencies are also becoming interested and they are looking at that.”
Speaking on the sanctions, he said, “What we are doing, first as a soft landing, we are requiring anybody who have benefitted from our programme and do not come back to make the full refund of the money expended in training them.
“The other option which is the harder one is that we are collaborating with our embassies, the embassies of the country where they are and the institutions.JAMB Result
“You will have recalled recently when I met with foreign instiutions that will sponsor our candidate. I made it a condition for further patronage that those of our scholars that went to such institutions and did not return, that they must provide that information to the relevant authorities to their own equivalent of their internal affairs because they’re staying on visas that have not expired or did not permit them to seek employment.
“This means that they have abused their visa and they are subject to migration that is the next step we are going to take and we believe they will do the honourable thing and take the first option.”
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