The Federal Government has launched the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a landmark welfare and empowerment programme designed to provide financial stability for academic and non-academic staff in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Announcing the initiative on Friday, Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the scheme as a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Reform Agenda for Education, which prioritises the welfare and professional growth of educational workers as a catalyst for national development.
TISSF, jointly developed by the Federal Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund in partnership with the Bank of Industry, offers a 0% interest loan of up to ₦10 million, capped at 33.3% of an applicant’s gross annual salary. Beneficiaries will enjoy a 12-month moratorium before repayment begins, with a five-year repayment period. According to Dr. Alausa, the initiative is a “strategic empowerment platform” aimed at ensuring staff can serve with “renewed dedication, dignity, and pride” while enjoying greater financial independence.
The scheme will cover five major support areas: medical assistance, family and accommodation needs, transportation (including electric vehicles and CNG conversions), small-scale business and agricultural ventures, and academic advancement such as professional certifications and higher degrees. Dr. Alausa noted that the fund addresses both welfare and capacity-building needs, enabling staff to improve their quality of life while contributing more effectively to the education sector.
Eligibility for the loan extends to confirmed full-time academic and non-academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, as well as one state-owned tertiary institution per state. Applicants must have at least five years left before retirement and be members of recognised staff unions such as ASUU, SSANU, or NASU. The Minister urged eligible personnel to seize the opportunity immediately, describing it as “a moment to transform lives and strengthen our education system.”
Applications for the TISSF can be submitted through the official portal at https://tissf.education.gov.ng. Dr. Alausa emphasised that the fund is not merely a welfare package, but a transformative initiative designed to uplift the nation’s greatest asset — its people.
