The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of funds under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), an initiative aimed at enhancing staff welfare, institutional productivity, and innovation within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

This was revealed in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo.

According to Boriowo, while quoting the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the initiative forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to improve the welfare of educational personnel across the country.

Dr. Alausa noted that the programme has moved from the planning phase to full implementation, with over 9,000 staff members of tertiary institutions benefiting in the first year. This represents about 28 percent of the 33,000 verified applicants drawn from 219 federal and state tertiary institutions nationwide.

He added that the first phase of the disbursement covered both academic and non-academic staff in a 30:70 ratio, demonstrating the government’s inclusive approach to supporting all categories of workers in the higher education sector.

“The President is delivering for our tertiary institutions — for welfare, productivity, and the future. Within just four months, payments have started going out. This is a President that delivers, and the Ministry of Education is deeply grateful for his unwavering support and commitment to staff welfare,” Alausa stated.

He further explained that the initiative goes beyond financial relief, describing it as a strategic investment in the nation’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 said.

Alausa reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to transparency, pledging quarterly financial reports, institutional engagement, and effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure that all funds are properly utilised and repaid, allowing more beneficiaries to access support in the future.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the initiative, launched in August 2025 after a high-level stakeholder engagement in July, is a major component of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative.

The programme is designed to boost morale, performance, and institutional excellence across the tertiary education landscape.

Under the scheme, eligible staff can access up to ₦10 million in concessionary, zero-interest loans to meet essential livelihood and productivity needs, including housing, healthcare, education, transportation, and small-scale business ventures.