The Federal Government has officially commenced the disbursement of funds under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a programme designed to enhance staff welfare, boost productivity and drive innovation across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
The announcement was made in Abuja on Friday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, who quoted the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, as saying the initiative is a major step forward in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.
According to Alausa, the scheme has moved from planning to full implementation, with more than 9,000 tertiary institution staff already benefiting in its first phase. This figure represents about 28 per cent of the 33,000 verified applicants drawn from 219 federal and state-owned tertiary institutions nationwide.
He explained that the current phase of disbursement covers both academic and non-academic personnel in a 30:70 ratio, reflecting government’s inclusive approach to improving staff welfare across all categories.
“The President is delivering for our tertiary institutions — for welfare, for productivity, and for the future,” Alausa stated. “Within just four months, payments have started. This is a president who delivers, and we at the Ministry of Education are profoundly grateful for his unwavering support and commitment to staff welfare.”
Alausa further described the initiative as more than just a financial relief package, noting that it is an investment in Nigeria’s knowledge economy.
“This fund is not merely about disbursement; it is about restoring dignity, rewarding dedication, and rebuilding the foundation of our knowledge economy,” he said.
He also assured that the ministry remains committed to transparency and accountability, adding that quarterly financial reports, institutional audits, and robust monitoring mechanisms will be put in place to ensure effective utilisation and repayment of the funds. The repayment process, he said, will enable the expansion of access to more beneficiaries in subsequent phases.
Insightlinks recall that the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund was launched in August 2025 following high-level stakeholder consultations in July. It is a core component of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), aimed at improving morale, performance, and institutional excellence across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Under the scheme, eligible staff can access up to ₦10 million in zero-interest concessionary loans to meet essential needs such as housing, healthcare, education, transportation, and small business ventures.
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