In a strategic move to revamp Nigeria’s tertiary education system, the Federal Government has unveiled the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF). The initiative, introduced by the Federal Ministry of Education, aims to enhance the welfare and professional development of academic and non-academic staff in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, disclosed the development during a high-level stakeholder engagement session in Abuja. According to him, the new fund is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reposition the tertiary education sector.
“TISSF is not just about welfare. It is about empowerment,” Dr. Alausa emphasized. “We are ensuring that our education workforce is supported to live well, grow professionally, and continue contributing meaningfully to institutional excellence.”
TISSF is structured as a welfare-focused loan scheme that provides financial stability, enhances quality of life, and promotes career growth. Each eligible academic or non-academic staff member can access up to ₦10 million, with a cap of 33.3% of their gross annual salary. The fund covers a wide range of needs including transportation, medical support, and micro-enterprise ventures such as poultry farming.
The implementation of TISSF will be in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI), which will oversee the disbursement process to ensure transparency and efficiency. The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Sulaibah Sa’id Ahmad, also addressed stakeholders, highlighting the inclusive development process that involved staff unions, education leaders, and other key actors.
“This reflects our commitment to inclusive, participatory policymaking and results-driven implementation,” she noted.
Professor Ahmad further explained that a robust monitoring and evaluation framework has been embedded in the programme to track progress and ensure its long-term success.
The initiative has received widespread support from key figures in the education sector, including the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, as well as various Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts. They commended the programme as timely and essential for boosting staff morale and improving overall institutional performance.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its dedication to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure the smooth rollout of TISSF and to foster a resilient, motivated, and empowered workforce in the nation’s tertiary education landscape.
