The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of funds under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), an initiative aimed at improving staff welfare, productivity, and innovation in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
This was disclosed in a statement on Friday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, quoting the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
Alausa said the programme, part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, had moved from planning to full implementation, with more than 9,000 staff members of tertiary institutions already receiving payments in the first year. He noted that this represents 28 per cent of the 33,000 verified applicants drawn from 219 federal and state-owned institutions across the country.
According to him, the first phase of the disbursement covered both academic and non-academic personnel in a 30:70 ratio, reflecting the government’s inclusive approach to staff welfare in higher education.
“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, and the Ministry of Education is profoundly grateful for his continuous support and commitment to staff welfare,” Alausa stated.
He added that the fund goes beyond financial relief, describing it as an investment in the nation’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.
Alausa reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, pledging quarterly financial reports, institutional engagement, and effective monitoring to ensure proper utilisation and repayment of funds, which will enable more beneficiaries to access the scheme.
Launched in August 2025 after a stakeholder engagement in July, the TISSF is a key component of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI). The programme allows eligible staff to access up to ₦10 million in zero-interest loans to meet essential needs such as housing, healthcare, education, transportation, and small business ventures.
