The Federal Government of Nigeria has opened applications for the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a welfare initiative designed to provide interest-free loans to academic and non-academic staff across the country’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Announced by the Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication to the President, the scheme officially went live today through the portal tissf.education.gov.ng. The initiative, according to the Minister of Education, is aimed at improving staff welfare, enhancing professional development, and fostering financial independence for those working in tertiary institutions.
Under the programme, eligible staff can access interest-free loans of up to ₦10 million, repayable over a maximum of five years, with a one-year grace period before repayment begins. Loan limits will be capped at 33.3 percent of an applicant’s gross annual salary to ensure affordability and responsible borrowing.
The funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including transportation, accommodation, medical expenses, family support, academic advancement, and small-scale business ventures such as agro-processing or poultry farming. The government believes that by offering financial support for both personal and income-generating needs, the scheme will ease economic pressure on tertiary education workers while also enabling them to explore new sources of income.
The Minister described the TISSF as a practical example of the “Renewed Hope” agenda in action and drew parallels to the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which targets students. He emphasised that the programme is a core element of the National Education Sector Renewal Implementation (NESRI) framework, designed to revitalise the education system through targeted interventions.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the TISSF will be implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry. The government has also put in place a robust monitoring and evaluation system, along with clear operational guidelines, to prevent misuse of funds and ensure that beneficiaries meet repayment obligations.
The scheme, first introduced during a stakeholder engagement in Abuja in July, was developed through consultations with staff unions, heads of institutions, and other key players in the sector. The collaborative design process, the Minister said, reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive policy-making and long-term sustainability.
By providing easier access to affordable credit, the Federal Government hopes the TISSF will strengthen the financial stability of Nigeria’s tertiary education workforce, improve morale, and indirectly enhance the quality of teaching, research, and administration in the nation’s higher institutions.
