In a major stride toward revitalizing Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has unveiled the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF)—a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving the welfare and professional development of academic and non-academic staff across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The initiative was formally introduced at a high-level stakeholder engagement session held in Abuja. Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, emphasized that TISSF forms a core part of the administration’s strategy to reposition tertiary education in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“TISSF is not just about welfare; it is about empowerment,” Dr. Alausa remarked. “We are ensuring that our education workforce is supported to live well, grow professionally, and continue contributing meaningfully to institutional excellence.”
The TISSF is a welfare-centered loan scheme designed to promote financial stability, improve quality of life, and facilitate career progression for staff in tertiary institutions. Eligible academic and non-academic staff can access up to ₦10 million in support, limited to 33.3% of their gross annual salary. Approved uses include transportation, healthcare needs, and micro-enterprise initiatives such as poultry farming.
To ensure transparency and effective execution, the programme will be managed in collaboration with the Bank of Industry, which will oversee fund disbursement and accountability mechanisms.
The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, also addressed stakeholders at the forum, underscoring the participatory process behind the initiative.
“This reflects our commitment to inclusive, participatory policymaking and results-driven implementation,” she said.
She added that a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework has been established to ensure continuous tracking, assessment, and long-term sustainability of the programme.
The event was attended by key stakeholders including the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts. Participants commended the initiative, describing it as timely and essential for improving staff morale and institutional performance.
The Ministry reaffirmed its resolve to work closely with all partners to ensure seamless implementation of TISSF and to build a more motivated, resilient, and empowered education workforce nationwide.
Elijah Adeyemi
