The Federal Government has introduced a new loan initiative to support the welfare and professional development of academic and non-academic staff in Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Known as the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), the scheme was announced by the Minister of Education, who stated that the fund aims to promote financial stability, improve living standards, and support career growth among staff in the sector.
Under the TISSF, eligible staff members can access loans of up to N10 million, with the amount capped at 33.3% of the applicant’s gross annual salary. The loans may be used for purposes such as transportation, medical expenses, or small-scale businesses, including ventures like poultry farming.
The programme will be implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), which will manage the disbursement process to ensure transparency and accountability.
The initiative is part of the administration’s broader efforts to reposition Nigeria’s tertiary education system. It comes in response to ongoing concerns raised by staff unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), over issues such as unpaid allowances and inadequate funding for public institutions.
In April 2025, the Federal Government released N50 billion to settle outstanding earned allowances for academic and non-academic staff in federal universities, signalling its commitment to prioritising education and staff welfare across the country.
