The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of funds under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), an initiative aimed at improving staff welfare, institutional productivity, and innovation across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
In a statement released in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Boriowo, announced that the programme had formally moved from the planning stage to full-scale implementation.
Quoting the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, Boriowo said the initiative was conceived under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, underscoring the administration’s commitment to rebuilding the nation’s education system through staff empowerment and institutional support.
According to Alausa, over 9,000 members of staff from federal and state tertiary institutions have received payments in the first year of implementation. This figure represents 28 per cent of the 33,000 verified applicants drawn from 219 tertiary institutions nationwide.
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The first phase of disbursement, he added, covers both academic and non-academic personnel in a 30:70 ratio, reflecting an inclusive approach to strengthening all categories of workers within Nigeria’s higher education system.
“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 going out. This is a President that delivers, and the Ministry of Education is profoundly grateful for his continuous support and commitment to staff welfare.”
Alausa further described the TISSF as more than a financial support mechanism, calling it “an investment in the nation’s knowledge economy”. He reaffirmed the ministry’s pledge to ensure transparency and accountability, with quarterly financial reports, institutional monitoring, and engagement mechanisms to guarantee effective utilisation and repayment of funds.
Launched in August 2025 following a stakeholder meeting in July, the initiative forms a central component of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative. Under the scheme, eligible staff can access up to ₦10 million in zero-interest loans to meet essential needs such as housing, healthcare, education, transportation, and small business ventures—ultimately enhancing morale, performance, and excellence across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
NAN
