The Federal Government has rolled out a new loan scheme for academic and non-academic staff across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The initiative, known as the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), was officially announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, through a statement released by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo.
According to the Minister, the fund is designed to ease financial burdens, support personal and professional development, and empower staff to contribute more effectively within their institutions.
What Is the TISSF All About?
TISSF is a welfare-oriented financial support scheme that allows each eligible staff member to access up to ₦10 million in loans. These loans are capped at 33.3% of the applicant’s gross annual salary and can be used for various needs, including:
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Transportation
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Medical bills
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Small-scale business ventures like poultry farming
This flexibility means staff are not restricted to strictly professional use—they can improve their lives and families with this financial access.
Who Can Benefit?
Both academic and non-academic staff working in Nigerian tertiary institutions—whether in public universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education—are eligible to benefit from the fund.
This comes as welcome news, especially after long-standing demands by education unions like ASUU and SSANU, who have called for improved funding, better welfare packages, and stronger institutional support.
How Will the Funds Be Managed?
To ensure the loan disbursement is transparent and accountable, the programme will be managed in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI). BOI will oversee the entire process from applications to disbursement—helping ensure that funds reach the right hands and are properly monitored.
Why This Matters Now
Over the years, one of the major concerns raised by university unions and education workers has been poor funding and lack of welfare support. Earlier in April 2025, the Federal Government released ₦50 billion to settle outstanding earned academic allowances—signaling a shift toward more intentional funding of the education sector.
TISSF is a continuation of that promise. According to the Ministry of Education, it’s part of the government’s broader effort to reposition Nigeria’s tertiary education by supporting the very people who keep these institutions running.
Stay tuned for application details and disbursement procedures as more information is expected to be released soon.
