News

TETfund Trains Over 37,000 Scholars For Local, Foreign PhDs, Other programmes

Published

2 years ago

August 18, 2023

…Laments failure of beneficiaries to serve their bonds at home institutions after completing programmes

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETfund, said it has successfully sponsored over 37,000 scholars for both foreign and local PhDs, Masters, Bench Work, and Postdoctoral programmes in various institutions.

But it disclosed that it was considering suspending the segment of the foreign component of the scholarship due to the recent CBN monetary policy, which it noted,resulted in a sharp drop in the value of the Naira thus creating difficulties in the payment of foreign scholarship tuition fees and stipends.

The development came even as TETFund recently signed several Memoranda of Understanding,MoU’s with some prestigious institutions overseas, including universities in Malaysia, India, Brazil, France and the United States with a view to boosting and enhancing the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff, TSAS programme.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono,who said these on Wednesday,at a One-Day Stakeholders’ Engagement on Emerging Issues that Affect TETFund Intervention Programmes,in Abuja, lamented the deliberate failure of beneficiaries to return to serve their bonds at their home institutions upon completion of their programmes.

He said: ”The Fund, for instance, has successfully sponsored over 37,000 scholars for both foreign and local PhDs, Masters, Bench Work, and Postdoc programs in various institutions.

“Recently, we encountered difficulties that compelled a review of foreign scholarships. The recent CBN monetary policy, which resulted in a sharp drop in the value of the Naira has created difficulties in the payment of foreign scholarship tuition fees and stipends.

“As a solution, we are considering suspending the segment of the foreign component of the TETFund scholarship outside the 11 MOUs executed by the Fund, while considering an upward review of the local TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff,TSAS intervention.

“Additionally, there are issues related to scholars not returning to serve their bonds at their home institutions upon completion of their programmes.

“Infact the challenge of scholars absconding has undermine and complicated the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) program and bringing it under intense scrutiny.

” It is for these and other reasons that this engagement was organized. We need to address these challenges and find solutions to ensure the effective and smooth implementation of our scholarship programmes.”

Echono said the “Fund at this material time is also discouraging beneficiary institutions from initiating new Benchwork programmes.”

Explaining that the engagement was to foster open dialogue and collaboration among the Fund’s key stakeholders, Echono said: ”We understand the significance of your collective insights, ideas, and feedback in enhancing the effectiveness of our intervention programs. It is through the shared efforts that we can drive positive changes and accelerate the development of our nation’s education sector.”

He spoke further: “As an agency of the government tasked with rebuilding and supporting the nation’s tertiary institutions, we are fully aware of the enormous responsibility and task before us, especially considering the importance of tertiary education in nation-building.

“The Fund has been entrusted with the responsibility of rehabilitating the physical infrastructure and other content aspects of the nation’s entire public tertiary institutions. To fulfill this mission, various intervention lines of the Fund were established.

“Over the years, the Fund has not only supported public tertiary institutions in the rehabilitation and provision of physical infrastructure but has also contributed to the training of academic staff in postgraduate studies both locally and internationally.

” It has also supported the development and conversion of manuscripts into books and invested in the libraries of these institutions with materials and other resources. Additionally, the Fund has provided support for conference attendance, research, and publications, significantly improving the standard and quality of teaching, and learning in our nation’s tertiary institutions. Despite the progress achieved, much still needs to be done, and the Fund remains committed to continuously improving its services and operations through stakeholder engagement and other means.”

The TETFund boss noted that since his assumption of office, he has taken significant steps aimed at repositioning and advancing TETFund’s objectives.

“This One-Day Interactive Engagement with Heads of Beneficiary Institutions was initiated last year to gather valuable feedback on TETFund intervention projects. These invaluable inputs received have been instrumental in refining our strategies and ensuring that our projects are tailored to meet the specific needs of beneficiary institutions. Some of the reforms implemented include a review of the Audit Process to curb attendant delays. We also took proactive steps to address issues related to distressed and abandoned projects across institutions.

“By strengthening and streamlining our proposals review process and implementing a robust Monitoring & Evaluation policy, we have been able to achieve smoother and faster execution of physical infrastructure interventions. Issues related to variation of projects have constantly featured in my engagements with institutions.

“The rate of inflation in the country has made it necessary that we reconsider the fixed cost regime for physical infrastructure intervention depending on the project lifecycle.

“Projects with more than one year lifecycle are likely to be affected by inflation and rise in cost of materials, as such variation in such cases may be justifiable. The Fund is further considering either converting the Fabrication interventions line to Skills acquisition or introducing Skill Acquisition as an Annual Direct Disbursement Intervention line. There is also the need to undertake a comprehensive audit of all equipment, particularly the skill G equipment, procured and delivered to institutions to establish their status and identify those that require upgrade,”he further said.

According to him, in recognition of the importance of empowering the staff of Career Units in Nigerian universities,the Fund had designed a Capacity Building programme specifically for “these staff members.”

“This programme will equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to support students in developing capabilities to find and sustain meaningful employment. The train-the-trainer (TTT) model will be adopted, where three (3) participants from each beneficiary university will receive training from the IFC experts on the details of setting up or restructuring career services units to meet global standards. These trained participants will then pass on their knowledge to other staff members of career support units at their respective universities.

“We believe that these initiatives along with the NSQF designed for the Polytechnic sector, will contribute significantly to the improvement of employability practices in Nigeria and pave the way for a brighter future for our graduates. We extend our deep appreciation to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for their unwavering support as we strive to create a stronger and more prosperous future for our graduates and the nation,” he said.

Going further,he said: “In our efforts to leverage on communication and information technology to expand access, improve quality and promote inclusiveness in the delivery of tertiary education in our country.

“The Fund has intensified the implementation of our digital literacy road map starting from home, we have commenced the full implementation of the LDI online submissions platform. Henceforth the submission of proposals for the physical infrastructure projects by institutions will be carried out online.

“The provision of fixed mobile internet services to staff and students of various institutions programme will also be fully implemented.

“The Fund is also implementing the converged services programme which includes capacity development and train the trainer [TTT] on communication skills and online certification courses for students across institutions.

“The capacity-building programme and training-the-trainer and technical works for blackboard enhanced e-learning platform is currently being implemented, while the phase two of the thesis digitization project will proceed as planned.”

News

Immigration Issues Travel Advisory To Nigerians On US Visas

Published

20 minutes ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has issued a travel advisory for Nigerians who currently hold or intend to apply for a US visa, highlighting strict warnings regarding recent developments related to the use of US visas.

The NIS’s Public Relations Officer, ACI Akimsola Akinlabi in Abuja on August 1, stated that the NIS and US mission in Abuja have reinforced their commitment to ensuring secure and efficient visa processes.

According to Akinlabi, “The NIS has issued a travel advisory to Nigerians on the responsible use of US visas, reminding visa holders to strictly adhere to the purpose stated in their visa applications and comply with US immigration laws.”

The US government has expressed concerns regarding the misuse of US visas by Nigerians, and the NIS is working closely with the US Mission to address these issues.

Nigerian students in the US are required to maintain an active study status to avoid visa cancellation and potential future eligibility issues.

US consular officers will deny tourist visa applications if they suspect that the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States to secure US citizenship for the child.

The NIS and the US Mission in Abuja are collaborating to ensure that Nigeria is not subject to expanded visa restrictions.

This joint effort underscores the commitment of both countries to maintaining secure and transparent visa processes.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that our citizens comply with visa regulations and respect the laws of other countries,” said ACI Akinlabi.

News

FEC Approves N145bn Electrification Projects For UNILAG, UI, Six Others

Published

36 minutes ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Thursday approved ₦145 billion for electrification projects in eight federal universities and one teaching hospital.

The Council also approved the sum of ₦68.7 billion for solar power for some rural communities and agricultural clusters that remain off-grid.

The two strategic electrification projects are targeted at expanding access to clean, renewable energy across Nigeria’s educational and rural agricultural sectors, in line with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, speaking shortly after the FEC meeting, said the approved projects are part of a deliberate shift toward sustainable energy delivery, aimed at reducing dependence on the national grid while promoting development, innovation, and inclusivity.

Giving the breakdown of the projects, the Minister said the first major approval is for the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) of solar hybrid power systems under the Energizing Education Programme (EEP), to be executed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

This initiative targets eight federal universities and one teaching hospital and is funded through the Special Intervention Window of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.

According to Adelabu, the total cost of this component is ₦145 billion, which is inclusive of 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT). Implementation is scheduled for completion within 7 to 9 months.

“This is a major milestone in the transformation of our tertiary education infrastructure,” the Minister said.

“It will significantly lower energy costs, reduce reliance on diesel generators, and provide a clean, stable source of power to support learning, research, and healthcare delivery.”

The Minister disclosed that the beneficiary institutions under this new phase are:

University of Lagos (UNILAG), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), University of Ibadan (UI), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and Federal University, Wukari (Taraba State).

The Minister said the others are to be confirmed upon project kickoff.

This project builds on earlier World Bank-supported phases that delivered solar mini-grid systems to institutions such as the University of Abuja (3MW), UNN (12MW), University of Calabar (8MW), and the Nigerian Defence Academy (2.6MW).

The second approval covers the rollout of solar-powered infrastructure in Agricultural Centres of Excellence, also under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund and implemented by the REA.

According to the Minister, this phase targets rural communities and agricultural clusters that remain off-grid.

With a total contract value of ₦68.7 billion, inclusive of VAT, this component is expected to be delivered within three months. It is designed to power homes, agro-processing units, cold storage systems, and small rural enterprises, boosting productivity and rural economies.

“The goal here is not just lighting homes, but energizing agriculture, creating jobs, and enabling value addition right in the communities,” Adelabu said.

Both interventions, the Minister stressed, reflect the Tinubu administration’s resolve to make access to reliable electricity a key driver of inclusive development.

He added that the projects will serve as models for scaling renewable energy adoption across other sectors, particularly education, health, and agriculture.

“These approvals reaffirm our commitment to bridging the energy access gap, ensuring no Nigerian is left behind as we transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable, and economically viable power sector,” Adelabu added.

News

Over 35,000 Nigerians Apply For 27,000 RHEI Job Slots Within 24 Hours

Published

38 minutes ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

Barely 24 hours after the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) opened its portal for the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), a staggering 35,819 unemployed Nigerians aged between 18 and 45 have already applied for the 27,000 available training and job slots.

The overwhelming response underscores the scale of youth unemployment and the eagerness of Nigerians to acquire skills that can secure them sustainable livelihoods.

The Director-General of NDE, Mr. Silas Agara, officially launched the digital portal for the initiative’s second phase on Monday 11 July. He said the rapid registration is a strong signal that the initiative is both timely and relevant to the realities facing Nigerians, especially the youth.

“In a determined effort to tackle youth unemployment and equip Nigerians with viable, state-relevant skills, we officially unveiled the registration portal for Phase Two of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative,” Mr. Agara stated.

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He emphasised that this second phase has undergone significant improvements and is fully digital. “After the first phase of RHEI, we went back to work for the second phase. Our directors tirelessly worked round the clock to ensure that this second phase is very robust and good. This time around our programme will be entirely digital,” he declared.

To ensure seamless operation across the country, the NDE has deployed extensive infrastructure upgrades. According to Agara, robust software and hardware, including internet facilities, have been installed in all 37 states of the Federation, including the FCT.

“As we speak today, we have robustly provided software and hardware, as well as internet facilities to all the 37 States of the Federation including FCT, so that they can link to the NDE Headquarters for the implementation of this second phase and help us achieve a hundred percent digital success. These facilities are made available even in all our six zonal offices,” he explained.

Mr. Agara stressed that registration must be done online and that only applicants who register within the two-week window will be considered. He also highlighted the importance of transparency, saying, “Nobody will be allowed to import any name into the system. So it is only those that have applied within the stipulated time that shall be processed and considered.”

A major eligibility requirement is the use of the National Identification Number (NIN), which is now mandatory for all NDE programmes. Mr. Agara further clarified that a person’s state of residence, not state of origin, is the determining factor for eligibility.

“Part of the guidelines to key into RHEI, which is very critical, is that all participants must register with their NIN. It is a mandatory requirement in all our programmes and activities today. And in this programme, the state of residence of beneficiaries is what matters, not state of origin. You are eligible to apply once you are a Nigerian and resident in any of the states of the Federation. The age bracket this time around is from 18 to 45 years,” he said.

Participants selected for this phase will undergo training in over 30 vocational and digital skills tailored to the economic needs of their respective states.

“Beneficiaries will be engaged in over 30 different skills. The skill sets vary from state to state. What is applicable to Abia may not be in Adamawa. We planned it in such a way that state-based skills—that is, certain skills that are very lucrative in specific states are considered,” he noted.

The online registration, which commenced on Monday, July 28, 2025, will close on Monday, August 11. Application processing is slated for August 12 to August 22.

Mr. Agara also issued a stern warning against fraudsters attempting to exploit the initiative. He appealed to both the media and the general public to help in exposing scammers and ensuring that applicants rely solely on official NDE channels.

“I want to plead with the members of the press to help us educate the public. Because even before we opened this website, we saw and noticed scammers are already out there deceiving members of the public. Some are asking for financial gratification and different kinds of requirements that are not what we in NDE require from participants,” he cautioned.

“We want to plead with the general public to be watchful. No staff of NDE will ask for any gratification from any members of the public. We have not commissioned anybody in any capacity to act on behalf of NDE. Solely, it is the responsibility of NDE Headquarters and state offices to manage this programme. Where any member of the public is confused about any information, such a person should contact our Headquarters, zonal or state offices for clarification. We have job centres in all 37 states of the Federation including FCT,” Mr. Agara added.