This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.
Quoting the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Boriowo said the initiative, a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, has moved from the planning phase to full-scale implementation.
According to Alausa, over 9,000 staff members of tertiary institutions have already received payments in the first year — representing 28 per cent of the 33,000 verified applicants drawn from 219 federal and state institutions across the country.
He noted that the first phase of disbursement covers both academic and non-academic personnel, distributed in a 30:70 ratio, reflecting the government’s inclusive commitment to all categories of workers in the higher education sector.
“The President is delivering for our tertiary institutions — for welfare, for productivity, and for the future,” Alausa said.
“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.”
Alausa described the fund as more than financial assistance, calling it an investment in Nigeria’s knowledge economy.
“This Fund is not merely about disbursement; it is about restoring dignity, rewarding dedication, and rebuilding the foundation of our knowledge economy,” he added.
He also pledged transparency and accountability, announcing that the ministry will publish quarterly financial reports, conduct institutional engagement, and establish robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure proper utilisation and repayment of funds.
Launched in August 2025 after a stakeholder engagement in July, the TISSF is part of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) — a broader strategy to enhance morale, performance, and institutional excellence in tertiary education.
Under the scheme, eligible staff can access up to ₦10 million in zero-interest concessionary loans to support critical welfare and productivity needs such as housing, healthcare, education, transportation, and small business ventures.
Dr. Alausa described the fund as a direct response to the welfare and professional development needs of Nigeria’s tertiary institution workforce, reaffirming that the initiative will continue to expand its reach in the coming phases.