Victoria Mbangwa
In a bold move to transform staff welfare in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, the Federal Government has introduced a groundbreaking support initiative that offers academic and non-academic employees access to loans of up to ₦10 million, marking a significant step toward improving their quality of life and professional development.
The newly launched Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF) is designed to provide financial relief and career-enhancing opportunities for personnel working in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide. The initiative was unveiled during a stakeholder engagement session in Abuja and is part of the government’s broader agenda to revitalize the education sector.
According to a press statement by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, the scheme will benefit both academic and non-academic staff, enabling them to access up to ₦10 million in loans, capped at 33.3% of their gross annual salaries. The fund can be used for key welfare and empowerment areas such as medical care, transportation needs, and income-generating micro-enterprises like poultry farming.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, emphasized that the initiative is rooted in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing TISSF as “more than a welfare scheme, it’s a tool for empowerment.”
“We are ensuring that our education workforce is supported to live well, grow professionally, and continue contributing meaningfully to institutional excellence,” Dr. Alausa said.
To ensure smooth and transparent disbursement, the programme will be implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry, which will manage the loan process. The Ministry also assured that robust oversight and monitoring frameworks will be in place.
The launch event attracted wide support from key stakeholders, including the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts, and the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry. Many described the initiative as a timely and strategic intervention to raise staff morale and improve overall institutional performance.
Boriowo noted that the Ministry is committed to close collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure that TISSF delivers tangible impact in the lives of education workers and contributes to building a more resilient and motivated workforce.
With the launch of TISSF, the Federal Government sends a strong signal that the welfare and empowerment of those who drive Nigeria’s knowledge economy are now a top priority.
