In a bold move to boost the welfare of academic and non-academic personnel across Nigerian tertiary institutions, the Federal Government has officially launched the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF) loan scheme, designed to provide eligible staff with financial assistance of up to ₦10 million.
The initiative, announced under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, forms part of the broader efforts by the administration to strengthen the education sector, empower staff, and address the long-standing financial challenges faced by workers in public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The TISSF loan is being facilitated through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the same body overseeing the newly activated student loan programme.
According to officials, the TISSF loan will be accessible to all categories of staff working in public tertiary institutions, including lecturers, administrative personnel, and other non-teaching employees. The scheme is structured to offer up to ₦10 million per beneficiary, with flexible repayment terms and a focus on financial relief for staff burdened by personal or professional expenses.
The application process is expected to be digital, transparent, and straightforward, aligning with the Tinubu administration’s push for inclusiveness and digitization of public services. The fund, according to the Federal Ministry of Education, will not only serve as a form of financial empowerment but also enhance productivity and morale within tertiary institutions, many of which have faced repeated industrial actions due to poor remuneration and welfare conditions.
The launch of the TISSF loan comes at a time when Nigeria’s higher education system is under scrutiny, with various stakeholders demanding tangible support for staff welfare and institutional reform. This policy is being viewed as a direct response to some of those concerns, especially as the government tries to rebuild trust with academic unions like ASUU, who have frequently cited poor conditions of service as a major grievance.
While some analysts commend the initiative as a strategic intervention capable of reducing the economic pressure on education workers, others are calling for clear modalities to ensure transparency, equitable distribution, and sustainability of the loan scheme.
As of press time, further guidelines for application and disbursement are being finalized, and prospective beneficiaries are urged to stay tuned to official NELFUND channels for updates.
