The Federal Government has rolled out a new financial support initiative called the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), aimed at empowering academic and non-academic personnel in Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the TISSF offers staff members access to loans of up to N10 million, specifically designed to improve their welfare and professional advancement. The announcement was contained in a press release issued in Abuja by Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, and reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to Dr. Alausa, the fund represents a major step in promoting financial stability among education professionals and enabling them to pursue career-enhancing opportunities.
“The TISSF will support transportation needs, medical bills, and even small-scale business ventures such as poultry farming,” Alausa stated. “Each staff member is eligible to receive up to N10 million, capped at 33.3% of their gross annual salary.”
The loan programme will be administered in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), which will manage disbursement and ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the application and loan issuance process.
The TISSF is part of the current administration’s strategic effort to reposition Nigeria’s tertiary education system. By enhancing the welfare of staff, the government aims to build a stronger, more motivated workforce capable of driving excellence across institutions.
This intervention comes at a time when issues of poor staff welfare, delayed payments, and underfunding have dominated discourse in Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape. Unions such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have repeatedly demanded improved funding and fulfillment of outstanding obligations, including earned academic allowances.
Government’s Ongoing Commitment
Earlier in April 2025, the Federal Government released N50 billion to clear backlog of earned allowances for academic and non-academic staff in federal universities. The TISSF is seen as a follow-up effort to solidify the government’s pledge to prioritise the education sector.
“The launch of the TISSF not only addresses immediate financial needs of staff but also creates long-term impact by empowering them to engage in value-added activities,” Dr. Alausa emphasized.
With this development, the government seeks to change the narrative of chronic underfunding and morale decline within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
As implementation begins, attention will be on the Bank of Industry to ensure seamless processing and disbursement, with stakeholders keenly watching how the scheme translates into real impact for staff members nationwide.
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