The Federal Government has begun disbursing funds under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF).
The fund, launched in August 2025, aims to lift morale, strengthen institutional productivity, and empower both academic and non-academic staff across Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
According to the Federal Ministry of Education, more than 9,000 staff members from 219 tertiary institutions have already received payments in the first year, representing 28% of the 33,000 verified applicants.
“A President that delivers”
Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa hailed the rollout as evidence of a government that “moves from promise to delivery.”
“The President is delivering for our tertiary institutions — for welfare, for productivity, and for the future,” Dr. Alausa said. “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.”
The disbursement marks the first tangible outcome of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI). This is one of the administration’s framework to reform tertiary education through innovation, accountability, and inclusive development.
Loans with a purpose
The TISSF is not structured as a handout but as a zero-interest welfare loan scheme, offering each qualified staff member access to up to ₦10 million to tackle critical livelihood and productivity challenges, from housing and healthcare to education, transportation, and small business support.
Dr. Alausa described the initiative as “a social contract for 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.
The first-year distribution reflected a 30:70 ratio of academic to non-academic staff, a move the ministry said was designed to foster inclusion and recognize the indispensable role of all categories of university and college personnel.
Accountability and the road ahead
The ministry pledged transparency and quarterly reporting, noting that disbursements would be tracked to ensure repayments and sustainability.
“Every naira must translate into improved welfare, motivation, and performance,” Alausa said. “This is not a one-off gesture. It’s the beginning of a culture that rewards service and professionalism.”
The TISSF, part of the broader Renewed Hope Agenda, is expected to expand its reach to over 30,000 beneficiaries by 2026.
Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, reaffirmed the ministry’s position that the initiative will “restore faith in public service” and “set a new benchmark for how governments invest in education sector workers.”
