The Federal Government has launched the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF) — a welfare-focused initiative aimed at improving the quality of life and professional development of academic and non-academic staff across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The initiative, introduced by the Federal Ministry of Education, was officially announced during a high-level stakeholder engagement session held on July 27, 2025, in Abuja. Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, emphasized that the Fund aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reposition the education sector.>
“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.”
Under the TISSF scheme, staff of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions can access up to ₦10 million in welfare loans, subject to a cap of 33.3% of their gross annual salary. The loans are intended to support key areas such as transportation, medical care, and small-scale ventures like poultry farming—thereby promoting financial stability and career advancement.
The programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Bank of Industry, which will oversee disbursement to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficient service delivery.
Also speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, noted that the programme was the result of broad-based consultations involving staff unions, institutional heads, and relevant stakeholders.
“This reflects our commitment to inclusive, participatory policymaking and results-driven implementation,” she stated.
She added that a strong monitoring and evaluation mechanism is embedded in the programme to track progress and guarantee its long-term success.
Among those who attended the stakeholder session were the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, as well as vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts of various institutions. They all welcomed the initiative as timely and essential for boosting staff morale and driving institutional performance.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to close collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure the successful rollout of the TISSF and to strengthen the education workforce nationwide.
