By Favour Chioma
— Over 9,000 Beneficiaries in First Phase, Ministry Pledges Transparency and Accountability
Abuja, October 30, 2025
The Federal Government has commenced disbursement under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF) a flagship welfare initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at enhancing staff welfare, productivity, and institutional innovation across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) announced that the first phase of implementation has already reached over 9,000 verified staff beneficiaries, representing 28% of 33,000 applicants drawn from 219 federal and state-owned tertiary institutions nationwide.
Launched in August 2025, following a broad-based stakeholder session held in July, the TISSF marks a major leap in Nigeria’s education reform drive — moving from planning to tangible impact within months.
According to the Ministry, the beneficiary composition currently stands at a 30:70 ratio between academic and non-academic staff, reflecting government’s inclusive approach to improving welfare across all categories of personnel in tertiary institutions.
Speaking on the milestone, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (FAMedS), CON, lauded President Tinubu’s leadership and dedication to Nigeria’s education sector, stating:
“The President is delivering for our tertiary institutions for welfare, for productivity, and for the future. Within just four months, payments have started going out. This is a President that delivers, and the Ministry of Education is profoundly grateful for his continuous support and commitment to staff welfare.”
The TISSF forms a key component of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) the Federal Government’s comprehensive framework to reposition tertiary institutions as centres of excellence, innovation, and knowledge creation.
Under the scheme, eligible staff members can access up to ₦10 million through zero-interest concessionary loans and welfare support packages to meet pressing needs such as housing, healthcare, education, transportation, and small business development.
“This Fund is not merely about disbursement; it is about restoring dignity, rewarding dedication, and rebuilding the foundation of our knowledge economy,”
Dr. Alausa emphasized.
Reaffirming its commitment to accountability, the Ministry pledged to ensure transparent fund management, quarterly financial reporting, and ongoing engagement with participating institutions to guarantee that every disbursed naira translates into improved welfare, motivation, and institutional performance while sustaining the revolving nature of the Fund for future beneficiaries.
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press & Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Education
