The Federal Government has introduced the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a new initiative aimed at improving the welfare and motivation of academic and non-academic staff in Nigeria’s higher institutions.
The programme was launched on Wednesday at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmed. Representatives from the education sector and the Bank of Industry (BOI) were also in attendance.
Alausa explained that the TISSF will provide interest-free loans of up to N10 million to eligible staff members. He noted that more than 33,000 applications were received, with about 9,000 approved in the first phase. Of those approved, around 30% are academic staff and 70% are non-academic staff, reflecting staffing patterns across tertiary institutions in the country.
The Minister said the loan is intended to support essential needs such as housing, healthcare, transportation, education, and small business ventures. Beneficiaries will not be required to make any repayment for the first 24 months, with total repayment spread over five to seven years.
“This initiative recognises that salaries alone are not enough,” Alausa said. “It is an additional layer of support to help staff maintain decent living conditions while they continue contributing to national development.”
He stressed that the TISSF does not replace ongoing negotiations with staff unions over salaries and working conditions, but rather complements those efforts. He said discussions with ASUU, COEASU, and other unions will continue.
Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmed described the TISSF as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening the tertiary education system by improving staff welfare and retention. She noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s goal of building a knowledge-driven economy and supporting the workforce that sustains academic institutions.
The Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, thanked the Federal Government for the initiative and called for continued efforts to maintain stability in the tertiary education sector. She raised concerns over the impact of strikes and other disruptions, urging the government to help ensure uninterrupted academic activities. She also appealed for additional support to strengthen the university’s medical programme.
The launch of TISSF forms part of broader reforms aimed at revitalising Nigerian tertiary institutions and improving their competitiveness through better staff welfare, training, and institutional support.
