The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has introduced the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), under which each academic and non-academic staff member is eligible to receive a loan of up to ₦10 million, capped at 33.3 per cent of their gross annual salary.
The initiative is designed to enhance the welfare and professional development of academic and non-academic staff in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Boriowo, conveyed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, noting that the initiative represents a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
She stated that the initiative was unveiled during a high-level stakeholder engagement session held in Abuja.
The Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, explained that the Fund is part of the administration’s broader effort to reposition the tertiary education sector in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“TISSF is not just about welfare. It is about empowerment,” Dr Alausa said. “We are ensuring that our education workforce is supported to live well, grow professionally, and continue contributing meaningfully to institutional excellence.”
He added that TISSF is a welfare-focused loan scheme aimed at promoting financial stability, improving quality of life, and supporting career advancement for staff across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
“Each academic and non-academic staff member is eligible to receive up to ₦10 million, capped at 33.3 per cent of their gross annual salary.
“Eligible uses include transportation, medical support, and micro-enterprise ventures such as poultry farming.
“The programme will be implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry, which will manage the disbursement process to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective delivery,” the statement added.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, also addressed stakeholders at the event, stating that the programme was developed through extensive consultation with staff unions, institutional leaders, and other key stakeholders.
“This reflects our commitment to inclusive, participatory policymaking and results-driven implementation,” she emphasised.
She further explained that a robust monitoring and evaluation framework has been embedded to track progress and ensure the long-term success of the Fund.
Participants at the event—including the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon; the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono; the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry; as well as vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts—expressed strong support for the initiative.
They described it as timely and essential for boosting staff morale and improving performance across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
“The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of TISSF and to build a more resilient, motivated, and empowered workforce in the education sector,” Boriowo stated.
