The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, expressed deep concern over the alarming number of Nigerian university lecturers sponsored abroad by TETFund who have absconded.
Echono disclosed this during a TETFund Management retreat in Makurdi, Benue State, stating that the board is determined to take measures to address the issue.
Echono highlighted that some lecturers, sponsored for advanced studies by TETFund, have failed to return after completing their programs, which he termed an abuse of the opportunity provided by the fund.
He refrained from providing specific figures but emphasized that the situation is significant and troubling.
To address the matter, Echono outlined two measures – a “soft landing” and a “harder one.”
The “soft landing” involves requiring lecturers who benefited from TETFund programs and failed to return to make full refunds of the money expended on their training.
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The “harder” option involves collaboration with embassies and institutions to track down and repatriate those who have absconded.
Echono indicated that security agencies are also becoming involved, showing interest in addressing the issue.
He emphasized the need for accurate reporting, acknowledging that some lecturers might have exceeded their course periods or obtained extensions.
However, the overall number of absconded lecturers is not encouraging.
In terms of sanctions, Echono stated that collaboration with foreign institutions is underway to ensure that institutions where the lecturers studied without returning are informed.
He noted that making such information available would be a condition for further patronage by TETFund.
Echono also provided an update on TETFund’s disbursement, revealing that over N400 billion has been disbursed to tertiary institutions in the country.
The issue of lecturers absconding after being sponsored for studies abroad raises concerns about the effective utilization of funds and the need for measures to ensure accountability in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
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