FG Disburses Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF)
The Federal Government has started disbursing the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF) through the Federal Ministry of Education. This major welfare programme is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and aims to strengthen staff well-being and improve productivity across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Launched in August 2025 after a stakeholders’ session held in July, the TISSF has now moved into full operation. More than 9,000 verified staff members have received payments in the first year. This covers 28 per cent of the 33,000 approved applicants drawn from 219 Federal and State tertiary institutions across the country.
Key Features of the Federal Government’s TISSF Programme
During the first year, beneficiaries were selected using a 30:70 ratio between academic and non-academic staff. This balance reflects the Ministry’s intention to ensure that all categories of tertiary institution employees benefit fairly.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa (FAMedS), CON, praised President Tinubu’s leadership for bringing this initiative to life. He stated that the President has shown strong commitment to staff welfare and the advancement of tertiary education, noting that payments began only four months after the fund’s approval.
The TISSF forms part of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which focuses on improving welfare, morale, and staff performance. It also supports tertiary institutions in maintaining high standards of teaching and research.
Support Packages for Beneficiaries
Under the TISSF, the Federal Government provides zero-interest loans and direct welfare packages to support livelihood and productivity. Each approved staff member can access up to 10 million naira to meet key needs such as housing, education, healthcare, transportation, and small business growth.
Dr Alausa described the Fund as a programme that restores dignity, rewards hard work, and rebuilds the foundation of the nation’s knowledge base.
The Federal Ministry of Education has pledged transparent fund management, quarterly financial reporting, and continuous engagement with participating institutions. The goal is to ensure that every disbursed fund contributes to better welfare and motivation while enabling repayments so that more staff can benefit in the future.
Continuous Commitment from the Federal Government
The Federal Government remains dedicated to improving the welfare of academic and non-academic staff across all tertiary institutions. Through the TISSF, it continues to show its support for education workers who play key roles in national development and the progress of the country’s knowledge economy.