The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to introduce a major support initiative for staff in the tertiary education sector. The Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF) will be rolled out through the Federal Ministry of Education to improve staff welfare and professional development in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.
This announcement was made on July 27, 2025, at a stakeholder meeting in Abuja. The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, highlighted that this move is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He explained that the TISSF will help reposition the nation’s education system to be more productive and inclusive.
“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.”
According to the Ministry, the fund is a welfare-based loan initiative that will assist academic and non-academic staff in achieving financial stability and career progress. Staff members will be eligible to receive up to N10 million, calculated at a limit of 33.3% of their gross annual salary.
The loan can be used for various needs including transportation, medical expenses, and small-scale business activities such as poultry farming.
To guarantee efficient and transparent distribution, the TISSF will be handled in collaboration with the Bank of Industry. The bank will oversee the disbursement process and ensure proper accountability and delivery of the funds.
The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, also spoke at the engagement. She said the programme was designed after wide consultations with key players in the education sector, including staff unions and institutional leaders.
“This reflects our commitment to inclusive, participatory policymaking and results-driven implementation,” she stated.
She also noted that a strong monitoring and evaluation framework has been put in place to check the progress of the fund and secure its long-term impact.
Stakeholders at the event included the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, and several Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts.
They all expressed support for the initiative, describing it as timely and essential for boosting morale and encouraging better staff performance in tertiary institutions.
The Ministry has pledged to continue working closely with all involved groups to ensure the smooth rollout of TISSF and to build a stronger, more motivated education workforce.