………..A Landmark Welfare Initiative to Empower Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Workforce.
The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of the ₦10 million interest-free loan scheme under the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF) a bold initiative to enhance staff welfare, motivation, and productivity across Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Speaking at the official launch and disbursement ceremony held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), the Honourable Minister of Education, Chief Dr. Tunji Alausa, FAMedS CON, described the event as a historic fulfilment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises human capital development and educational excellence.
Dr. Alausa explained that the TISSF provides zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million, capped at one-third of an applicant’s annual gross salary, to support housing, healthcare, transportation, and small business ventures. He revealed that over 9,000 academic and non-academic staff across 219 federal and state institutions have begun receiving offer letters and payments, with more than 400 beneficiaries already credited.
He stated that the Fund conceived and implemented within four months forms part of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), and reflects the administration’s resolve to translate policy into measurable impact. “The TISSF is not merely a financial intervention; it is a tangible expression of government’s appreciation for the dedication of those who sustain our tertiary education system,” he said.
The Minister urged beneficiaries to ensure timely repayment, noting that the Fund operates as a revolving scheme that depends on repayment discipline to reach others. He assured that the Ministry would maintain transparency, accountability, and quarterly monitoring to ensure sustainability, adding that the initiative will help reposition Nigeria’s tertiary education system as globally competitive and knowledge-driven.
In her remarks, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the TISSF as a visionary and transformative welfare programme designed to stabilise the education system by improving staff motivation and professional growth. She commended Dr. Alausa for championing the initiative and acknowledged the Bank of Industry and other partners for their role in the Fund’s design and implementation. “Investing in our educators is investing in the future of our nation,” she stated.
The Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Temidayo Oladiji, lauded the Federal Government for the initiative, describing it as “timely, visionary, and transformative.” She praised the Honourable Ministers for their joint visit and for reforms that have revitalised tertiary education such as separating research accounts from the TSA and improving access to TETFund grants. She also announced that FUTA has been selected as a beneficiary of the ₦1 billion Commercialisation Aid Fund initiative, reaffirming the university’s commitment to innovation and national service.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Bola Ajayi, expressed gratitude on behalf of all recipients to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry for their commitment to staff welfare, describing the support as “a profound gesture of renewed hope.”
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its determination to sustain the TISSF as a model of transparency, accountability, and shared progress, ensuring that every educator feels valued, supported, and empowered to shape Nigeria’s future.
Signed
Folasade Boriowo
Director, Press and Public Relations
