The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the start of disbursement under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a major initiative by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The programme aims to enhance staff welfare, improve institutional productivity, and promote innovation across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Launched in August 2025 after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in July, the TISSF has moved from planning to full implementation. According to the Ministry, over 9,000 tertiary institution staff have received disbursements in the first year. This figure represents 28 percent of the 33,000 verified applicants from 219 Federal and State tertiary institutions across the country.
The Ministry explained that the first phase of implementation reflects a 30:70 ratio between academic and non-academic staff, showing the government’s commitment to inclusiveness and fairness in the education workforce.
Speaking on the milestone, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (FAMedS), CON, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and dedication to education reform. He said, “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.”
The TISSF is part of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which focuses on strengthening the education system through welfare, training, and institutional development. The fund is designed to boost staff morale and performance while positioning tertiary institutions as centres of innovation and knowledge creation.
Through zero-interest concessionary loans and welfare packages, the TISSF offers staff access to up to 10 million naira to improve their living standards and work productivity. The support covers key areas such as housing, education, healthcare, mobility, and small business development.
Dr. Alausa stated, “This Fund is not merely about disbursement; it is about restoring dignity, rewarding dedication, and rebuilding the foundation of our knowledge economy.”
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, quarterly financial reporting, and regular engagement with participating institutions to ensure accountability and sustainability of the initiative.