The Nigerian Government is developing a policy framework to ensure that students sponsored abroad return to the country to contribute to their quota to national development after completing their studies.
Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Sonny Echono stated this at the maiden edition of TETFund National Town Hall Meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria
He said that the framework in form of a bond, is not meant to punish beneficiaries but to safeguard national investment in human capital as it would encourage Nigerians on government scholarships to come back and make meaningful contribution to the development of the nation.
He described the trend of not returning to Nigeria after completion of studies abroad as a major setback to national development.
It would be recalled that earlier in the year, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa had raised the concern that 85 percent of Nigerian students sent abroad on government scholarships never returned.
The TETFUND Boss noted that decision to stay back after studies is tantamount to President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reforms designed to strengthen the education sector and retain skilled manpower within the country.
‘’President Tinubu had directed the relevant ministries and agencies to develop a framework to check the “brain drain” phenomenon, particularly among beneficiaries of government-sponsored academic training overseas. He complained that so many of the people we send abroad for studies do not return.
“He has therefore instructed that we must put measures in place, not to stop training abroad entirely, but to ensure that those who go are properly bonded and return to contribute their knowledge to national development.
‘’Going forward the government would identify critical sectors where Nigeria needs to compete globally and ensure that scholars trained in those areas return to apply their expertise locally.
“When we train people, they must come back to put their knowledge to use here and help build our economy and transfers similar to our children,’’ he said.
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Echono commended President Tinubu for rejecting proposals to reverse the 3 percent education tax increment accruable to TETFUND to the earlier 2.5 percent, describing the decision as a clear demonstration of his priority for human capital development.
“The President has consistently shown that education lies at the heart of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
“His decision to raise and maintain the education tax at 3 per cent, in spite pressures to reduce it, is a reflection of his deep belief in education as the foundation for national transformation,” he said.
He said the National Student Loan Scheme; a flagship programme aimed at guaranteeing access to higher education for all is an indication of President Tinubu’s compassion for Nigerian youth. He explained that under the scheme, no student would be denied admission or forced to drop out due to financial hardship, as repayment begins only after securing gainful employment.
“This initiative reflects the President’s belief that every Nigerian child, regardless of background, deserves an opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed,” he said.
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Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of TETFund, Aminu Masari said the 2025 National Townhall Meeting is a significant milestone, as its aim of bringing the Fund closer to its stakeholders has been achieved.
“This meeting represents a significant milestone in our collective journey toward building a more transparent, inclusive, and responsive tertiary education system,’’ he said.
He commended the President’s visionary leadership and policy direction that have strengthened tertiary education governance.
Masari outlined the three key pillars driving the current TETFUND Board’s reform agenda which includes transforming tertiary education into a driver of innovation and productivity, strengthening accountability, transparency, and impact measurement; as well as expanding the frontiers of research, technology, and entrepreneurship.
‘’The key pillars are targeted at ensuring that the Fund’s interventions translate into tangible improvements in teaching, learning, and research while enhancing the global competitiveness of Nigerian graduates,’’ he said.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris represented by Dr Muhammed Bulama commended the Fund for its transformational role in developing infrastructure, research, and human capacity across tertiary institutions in the country.
Idris promised that Ministry of Information will make available its various media outlets to promote activities of TETFUND as it continues to impact the lives of Nigerians, especially the youths.