NIGERIA: FG Begins Disbursement Of Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a landmark initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at improving staff welfare, institutional productivity, and innovation within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

Announcing the development in a statement issued on Thursday, the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) said over 9,000 tertiary institution staff have begun receiving disbursements under the first phase of the initiative, representing 28% of 33,000 verified applicants drawn from 219 federal and state tertiary institutions across the country.

The programme, which was launched in August 2025 after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in July, is part of the Federal Government’s effort to reposition Nigeria’s education sector through the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) framework.

The ministry said the fund is strategically designed to boost staff morale, welfare, and performance while reinforcing universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education as centres of excellence and knowledge creation.

Speaking on the milestone, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, commended President Tinubu for his vision and commitment to staff welfare in tertiary institutions.

Dr Alausa stated: “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.”

According to the ministry, the first phase of implementation reflects a 30:70 ratio of academic to non-academic staff beneficiaries, underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusive support across all categories of tertiary institution personnel.

Through concessionary zero-interest loans and welfare packages, the TISSF offers each beneficiary up to ₦10 million to tackle livelihood and productivity challenges such as access to housing, healthcare, education, mobility, and small business development.

“This Fund is not merely about disbursement; it is about restoring dignity, rewarding dedication, and rebuilding the foundation of our knowledge economy,” Alausa added.

The ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to transparent fund management, quarterly financial reporting, and continuous engagement with participating institutions to ensure accountability and effective utilisation of resources.

In the statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, the ministry noted that all disbursements will be monitored to ensure that “every naira translates into improved welfare, motivation, and institutional performance,” while repayments will be reinvested to benefit more staff across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.