FG Commences Payment of Tertiary Staff Support Fund

The Federal Government has begun the payment of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a welfare initiative designed to enhance productivity, morale, and innovation across Nigeria’s higher education system.

Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, confirmed the development in a statement yesterday, saying that the exercise marked a key milestone in the government’s ongoing education sector reform agenda.

Launched in August 2025 after a series of stakeholder consultations, the TISSF has entered its implementation phase, with over 9,000 staff across 219 federal and state-owned institutions already receiving payments in the first batch.

According to Folasade, the 9,000 beneficiaries represent about 28 per cent of the 33,000 verified applicants. She added that the disbursement maintains a 30:70 ratio between academic and non-academic staff to ensure equitable coverage across all categories of workers.

Speaking on the development, Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as “a decisive step toward rebuilding confidence and welfare in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.”

“The President is delivering for our tertiary institutions — for welfare, for productivity, and for the future. Within just four months of approval, payments have commenced. This is a President that delivers,” Alausa said.

The Minister noted that the TISSF forms part of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), a broad policy framework aimed at restoring efficiency, motivation, and accountability in the education system.

Under the scheme, verified staff are eligible for concessionary zero-interest loans and welfare support packages of up to ₦10 million, covering essential needs such as housing, healthcare, education, transportation, and small business ventures.

Alausa described the initiative as “a deliberate investment in human capital,” stressing that it seeks to reward dedication and restore dignity to Nigeria’s academic and non-academic workforce.

“This fund is not merely about disbursement; it is about restoring dignity, rewarding dedication, and rebuilding the foundation of our knowledge economy,” he added.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, pledging quarterly financial reports and sustained engagement with participating institutions to ensure that every disbursed naira contributes to improved welfare and institutional performance.