FG Approves Special Fund For Lecturers

The Nigerian Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has introduced the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), aimed at improving the welfare and professional development of academic and non-academic staff in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

The initiative was unveiled during a high-level stakeholder engagement session in Abuja.

The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, in a statement by the Director of Press, Boriowo Folasade, said the fund is part of efforts to reposition the tertiary education sector in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“TISSF is not just about welfare. It is about empowerment. We are ensuring that our education workforce is supported to live well, grow professionally, and continue contributing meaningfully to institutional excellence,” he said.

Alausa explained that the fund is a welfare-focused loan scheme designed to promote financial stability, improve the quality of life, and support career advancement for staff across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

“Each academic and non-academic staff member is eligible to receive up to ₦10 million, capped at 33.3% of their gross annual salary. Eligible uses include transportation, medical support, and micro-enterprise ventures such as poultry farming.

“The programme will be implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry, which will manage the disbursement process to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective delivery,” he added.

Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, while addressing stakeholders, noted that the programme was developed through wide consultation with staff unions, institutional heads, and other key actors.

“This reflects our commitment to inclusive, participatory policymaking and results-driven implementation,” she emphasised.

She further stated that a robust monitoring and evaluation framework has been embedded to track progress and ensure the long-term success of the initiative.

Participants at the launch — including the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts — expressed strong support for the initiative. They described it as timely and essential for boosting staff morale and improving performance across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of TISSF and to build a more resilient, motivated, and empowered workforce in the education sector