The Tertiary Education Trust Fund has awarded scholarships to 12 Nigerian lecturers from its beneficiary institutions to undertake various PhD studies in science-related disciplines in France.
The Executive Secretary, TETFund, Sonny Echono, disclosed this at a pre-departure briefing for the scholars in Abuja.
Mr Echono said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Campus France in August 2023 which gave birth to the first set of scholars leaving the country to pursue academic programmes in various fields of study.
The TETfund boss disclosed that the sum of N63,457,600.40 or 77,862.16 euro was approved in favour of each scholar for the three-year duration of the programme, which amounts to a total of 761,491,924.80 or 934,345.92 euro for the 12 approved scholars.
He added that the funds would be disbursed to each beneficiary in line with the provisions of the agreement with Campus France which was reached on April 18, 2023.
“The sum of N63,457,600.40 (€ 77,862.16) was approved in favour of each scholar for the three- year duration of the programme, which amounts to a total of 761,491,924.80 (€ 934,345.92) in favour of the 12 approved scholars.
“This would be disbursed to each beneficiary in line with the provisions of the agreement,” he said.
Stating that the 12 scholars were approved by the management of TETFund from eight beneficiary institutions, he said this approval was Cohort 1 and was sequel to the call for presentation of eligible prospective scholars earlier communicated to all TETFund beneficiary institutions.
He added that the scholars were not only sent to acquire quality education but also given access to explore research opportunities and in turn contribute their knowledge to the development of the nation.