In a renewed effort to improve the welfare and professional growth of personnel in Nigeria’s higher education system, the Federal Government has unveiled the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF)—a dedicated financial support scheme for staff in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The initiative, which was formally presented at a high-level stakeholder engagement session in Abuja, is designed to enhance financial stability and improve living standards for both academic and non-academic staff. It forms part of broader reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places a strong emphasis on human capital development.
Welfare and Empowerment at the Core
According to a statement issued by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, the TISSF allows eligible staff members to access loans of up to ₦10 million, subject to a cap of 33.3% of their gross annual salary.
The fund is flexible in its application. Beneficiaries can use the loans for welfare-related needs such as medical expenses, transportation, and even small-scale business ventures, including poultry farming and other micro-enterprises—aimed at promoting both economic independence and quality of life.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, described the initiative not only as a welfare scheme but as a strategic tool for empowerment and capacity building within Nigeria’s tertiary education workforce.
“TISSF is not just about welfare. It is about empowerment,” Dr. Alausa noted. “We are ensuring that our education workforce is supported to live well, grow professionally, and continue contributing meaningfully to institutional excellence.”
Implementation and Oversight
To guarantee transparency and effective disbursement, the scheme will be administered by the Bank of Industry (BoI), which will handle loan management and delivery in partnership with the Ministry of Education.
The unveiling attracted key figures in the education and development space, 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 of various institutions.
These stakeholders unanimously welcomed the fund, describing it as timely and essential for revitalising staff morale and institutional performance.
Strengthening Human Capital in Higher Education
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure smooth rollout and sustainability of the TISSF. The goal, officials emphasized, is to build a resilient, motivated, and empowered education workforce that can meet national development goals and global academic standards.
By directly addressing the financial challenges faced by staff, the fund is expected to contribute to a more stable and effective higher education environment—one that prioritizes people, productivity, and purpose.
With TISSF, the Federal Government signals a policy shift from reactive welfare support to proactive investment in educational human capital, laying the foundation for long-term reform in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.