The Federal Government has released comprehensive details on the commencement of disbursements under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), aimed at improving welfare, productivity, and innovation across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The Federal Ministry of Education (FME), in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, said over 9,000 verified staff beneficiaries drawn from 219 federal and state tertiary institutions have been approved for disbursement in the first phase.
According to the statement, the initiative, launched in August 2025, represents a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen institutional performance through improved staff motivation and welfare.
The ministry explained that the TISSF provides concessionary zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million per staff member to address livelihood and productivity challenges such as housing, education, healthcare, mobility, and small business development.
Speaking on the implementation, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the programme had moved from planning to full action within four months, describing it as a testament to the administration’s commitment to tertiary staff welfare.
“The President is delivering for our tertiary institutions — for welfare, for productivity, and for the future. Within just four months, payments have started going out. This is a President that delivers,” Alausa said.
He added that the initiative is not merely about disbursement but about restoring dignity, rewarding dedication, and rebuilding the foundation of the nation’s knowledge economy.
The ministry said the first-year beneficiary composition reflected a 30:70 ratio of academic to non-academic staff, underscoring inclusivity in the distribution process.
It further reaffirmed its commitment to transparent fund management, quarterly financial reporting, and continuous engagement with participating institutions to ensure sustainability and accountability.
The statement noted that repayment mechanisms have also been put in place to allow more members of the tertiary education workforce to benefit from the scheme in subsequent phases.
