A group of young Nigerians who were awarded scholarships by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) left Nigeria with high hopes for their postgraduate studies abroad. However, economic challenges in Nigeria have dampened their initial joy. Among the affected are students at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Johor Bahru.
These Nigerian students, particularly those pursuing doctorate degrees, initially had their tuition fees covered by TETFund for four semesters. However, the payment for the remaining two semesters has not been made, putting their studies at risk. The leadership of the International Students’ Society of Nigeria (ISSN), UTM Chapter, has taken up the cause to ensure the students can continue their education without interruption.
ISSN President, Olayiwola Alfa Abdullahi, a Ph.D. student in Information Systems at UTM, is among those affected. He shared his plight, stating that the university has warned him and others about potential termination of their studentship if fees remain unpaid.
In their efforts to resolve this issue, the students have reached out to various Nigerian authorities. A letter dated May 23, 2023, was sent to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), seeking her intervention. Although Dabiri-Erewa responded promptly and assured them of a follow-up with TETFund, the financial crisis persists.
The students have also appealed directly to TETFund, highlighting a shortfall of RM16,550.52 (approximately $3,310) in their tuition fees. Abdullahi explained that he had used up his personal resources, including loans, to pay for his fifth semester and is now unable to continue without additional support.
In May 2024, the ISSN UTM Chapter reached out to Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya, Deputy Chairman on Basic Education Services in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, to expedite the payment of the outstanding fees. The letter stressed the dire consequences of unpaid fees, including the potential termination of their visas and deportation from Malaysia.
On October 2, 2023, the students directly appealed to the TETFund Executive Secretary, urging immediate payment to prevent further academic disruptions. Despite acknowledging the issue, TETFund indicated that the matter was now under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Education.
Abdullahi and his peers continue to advocate for their cause, emphasizing their dedication to their studies and their desire to contribute to Nigeria’s development. They have called upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure that TETFund fulfills its obligations.
Meanwhile, TETFund officials have confirmed that efforts are underway to resolve the financial shortfall. The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, is currently reviewing the details provided by TETFund to take necessary action.
The affected students at UTM, Malaysia, remain hopeful for a resolution but have expressed disappointment over the bailout’s implementation, which they claim has unjustly excluded many scholars. They stress that the criteria used to segregate scholars during the disbursement did not account for the financial hardships faced by all, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturns.
As this situation unfolds, the Nigerian scholars in Malaysia await decisive action from TETFund and Nigerian authorities to secure their academic future and alleviate the financial burden threatening their education.
