By Kolawole Omotola Olaide
The Federal Government has distributed about N13 billion in interest-free loans to 7,450 academic and non-academic staff members across public tertiary institutions in Nigeria as part of efforts to improve the welfare of education workers.
The intervention, executed through the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), covered beneficiaries in 153 public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide during the 2025/2026 programme cycle.
According to information released by the Federal Ministry of Education, the initiative forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at strengthening staff welfare, boosting productivity and supporting the financial wellbeing of workers in the education sector.
The TISSF scheme, established by the Ministry of Education and managed by the Bank of Industry, offers eligible tertiary institution employees access to loans of up to N10 million without interest, enabling them to meet personal and professional financial obligations.
Government officials said the programme is helping to reduce financial challenges faced by workers while creating a more supportive environment for teaching, research and innovation across higher institutions.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the fund as a strategic component of ongoing reforms within the education sector. He stressed that improving staff welfare remains essential to achieving sustainable growth and excellence in tertiary education.
According to the minister, investments in infrastructure, technology, research and institutional development must be complemented by programmes that directly enhance the quality of life of education workers.
Alausa noted that the success recorded in the current phase demonstrates the strong demand for the scheme among tertiary institution employees and reflects its positive impact on beneficiaries nationwide.
Data released by the ministry revealed that more than 42,000 applications have been processed through the programme’s digital platform since loan disbursement began in October 2025.
The breakdown showed that universities received 52 percent of the disbursements, while colleges of education accounted for 25 percent and polytechnics received 23 percent.
The ministry also disclosed that women represented 19 percent of beneficiaries, adding that future phases of the programme will focus on increasing awareness and encouraging greater participation among female staff and underserved regions.
Officials further stated that plans are underway to simplify the application process and improve engagement with participating institutions to ensure faster and more efficient access to the fund.
Applications for the 2026/2027 TISSF cycle are expected to commence before the end of June 2026, with eligible workers advised to stay in touch with their institutions’ bursary departments and monitor official channels for updates.
The Federal Government expressed confidence that the programme will continue to support education workers while strengthening the nation’s tertiary education system through improved staff welfare and financial stability.
