The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of funds under the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), which will benefit over 9,000 academic and non-academic staff of tertiary institutions across the country in the first phase of its implementation.
The Federal Ministry of Education (FME), announcing the development in a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriwo Folasade, said the initiative is a major milestone in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to improve staff well-being, boost institutional productivity and foster innovation within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Launched in August 2025 following a stakeholder session in July, TISSF has now moved from planning to execution, according to the statement. The 9,000 beneficiaries represent 28 per cent of the 33,000 verified applicants from 219 federal and state tertiary institutions across the country.
According to the Ministry, the first year disbursement maintains a 30:70 ratio between academic and non-academic staff, reflecting the government's inclusive approach to support all categories of tertiary institution personnel.
Speaking at the initiative, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, commended President Tinubu for his commitment to the education sector and the welfare of its workforce.
“The President is working for our tertiary institutions, for welfare, for productivity and for the future. Within just four months, payments have started happening. This is a President who works, and the Ministry of Education is very grateful for his continued support and commitment to the welfare of staff,” Alausa said.
He said TISSF is a core component of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which is designed to enhance the welfare, morale and performance of tertiary institution staff while strengthening the institutions as centers of excellence and innovation.
Through the zero-interest loan and welfare package, each eligible staff member can access up to ₦10 million to meet essential needs such as housing, health care, education, transportation and small business development.
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Alausa stressed that the fund goes beyond financial relief, describing it as a transformational initiative to restore dignity, reward dedication and rebuild Nigeria's knowledge economy.
“This fund is not just about disbursements; it is about restoring dignity, rewarding dedication, and rebuilding the foundation of our knowledge economy,” Alaousa said.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparent management, quarterly reporting and ongoing engagement with institutions to ensure that disbursements translate into measurable improvements in employee welfare, motivation and institutional performance.
It also assured that repayment mechanisms have been put in place to guarantee sustainability and enable more beneficiaries in subsequent phases.
