The federal government mentioned that they gave N3.8 billion to Nigerian scholars stuck abroad. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, mentioned this in Abuja while meeting the House of Representatives Committee on TETFund. He said the Fund supported 1,500 scholars with the N3.8 billion provided.
Echono explained that because of the increased foreign exchange rates, scholars from countries such as the United Kingdom and Malaysia faced delays in their scholarship payments. These concerns were raised to the National Assembly, the Presidential Villa, the Ministry of Education, and TETFund.
Echono revealed that the Fund had taken care of 1,500 scholars with a total of N3.8 billion extended.
According to Daily Post, Speaking on the reported delay in scholarship payments, it was revealed that In the past, when funding was sent to institutions, the money was supposed to be transferred to the students. However, due to various reasons, institutions faced challenges in transferring the funds to the central bank efficiently.
Now, with the new approach of paying directly to the institutions, it seemed like a more effective intervention.
The concerns of the students were shared and brought to the attention with the National Assembly, the Presidential Villa, the Ministry of Education, and even TETFund.
Echono mentioned that previously, Nigeria was not performing well in research grants. However, he noted that Nigeria has made progress, moving from the 9th position to the 7th position in African research grants.
