The federal government has commenced the disbursement of funds under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), with over 9,000 academic and non-academic staff from tertiary institutions across the country benefiting in the first phase of implementation.
Announcing the development in a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) said the initiative marks a major milestone in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at improving staff welfare, boosting institutional productivity, and fostering innovation within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
According to the statement, Launched in August 2025 after a stakeholder session in July, the TISSF has now transitioned from planning to execution. The 9,000 beneficiaries represent 28 percent of the 33,000 verified applicants drawn from 219 Federal and State tertiary institutions nationwide.
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 supporting all categories of tertiary institution personnel.
Speaking on the initiative, Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, commended President Tinubu for his commitment to the education sector and the welfare of its workforce.
“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 said.
He said that the TISSF forms a core component of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), designed to enhance the welfare, morale, and performance of tertiary institution staff while strengthening the institutions as centres of excellence and innovation.
Through zero-interest loans and welfare packages, each eligible staff member can access up to ₦10 million to meet essential needs such as housing, healthcare, education, transportation, and small business development.
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Alausa emphasised that the Fund goes beyond financial relief, describing it as a transformative initiative to restore dignity, reward dedication, and rebuild 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,” said Alausa.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparent management, quarterly reporting, and ongoing engagement with institutions to ensure that disbursements translate into measurable improvements in staff welfare, motivation, and institutional performance.
It also assured that repayment mechanisms have been established to guarantee sustainability and enable more beneficiaries in subsequent phases.
