Despite initial opposition from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Federal Government’s Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF) has recorded significant uptake, with 7,450 academic and non-academic staff across public tertiary institutions benefiting from more than N13 billion in interest-free loans.

Checks at the Federal Ministry of Education revealed that more than 42,000 applications were processed through the scheme’s digital platform since disbursements commenced on October 28, 2025.

Of the 7,450 beneficiaries recorded so far, universities accounted for 52 per cent, while colleges of education and polytechnics represented 25 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.

The Federal Ministry of Education has also announced the completion of the 2025/2026 cycle of the programme, describing it as one of the largest staff welfare interventions in Nigeria’s education sector.

According to the ministry, applications for the 2026/2027 phase will open at the end of June 2026.

Introduced in July 2025 under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the TISSF provides interest-free loans of up to N10 million to eligible staff of public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

The facility supports beneficiaries in areas such as healthcare, housing, transportation, academic advancement, agriculture, and small-scale enterprises.

When the scheme was launched, ASUU rejected the initiative, arguing that university workers were already weighed down by debt and that government should focus instead on improving salaries, welfare packages, and implementing agreements reached with university unions.

However, figures released by the ministry indicate that thousands of workers have since embraced the programme.

The Federal Government disclosed that the programme has disbursed over N13 billion nationwide, helping tertiary institution workers meet critical personal and professional needs while enhancing their financial wellbeing and productivity.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to investing in the people driving teaching, learning, research, and innovation across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

He noted that easing financial pressures on education workers would strengthen the sector and improve service delivery.

Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, speaking on the successes recorded so far, described TISSF as a key component of the Federal Government’s education reform agenda.

He said investments in infrastructure, technology, research, and institutional reforms must be complemented by measures that directly improve staff welfare and quality of life.

The minister added that the successful completion of the first phase demonstrates both the strong demand for and positive impact of the intervention, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting education workers and strengthening tertiary institutions.

“TISSF is not just a welfare package; it is a strategic empowerment platform designed to give our academic and non-academic staff the financial stability they need to serve our students with renewed dedication, and to live with dignity and pride,” he said.

“It is an integral part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Reform Agenda for Education, which places our people — our greatest asset, at the centre of transforming our education sector and growing our economy.

“TISSF is a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry Nigeria. It is a free, 0 percent interest loan scheme aimed at enhancing welfare, supporting career development, and promoting financial independence for staff in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

“Staff could get up to N10 million (capped at 33.3 percent of gross annual salary), repayable after five years, with a 12-month moratorium before repayment begins,” he stated.

Female staff accounted for 19 per cent of beneficiaries during the cycle. The ministry said targeted sensitisation campaigns would be intensified in the next phase to encourage greater participation among women and underrepresented regions.

Applications for the 2026/2027 phase of the TISSF are expected to open later this month, with eligible staff advised to engage their institutions’ bursary departments and monitor official communications from the Ministry of Education for further details. (TRIBUNE)