Thousands of workers in Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions have received a major financial boost as the Federal Government disbursed more than ₦13 billion in interest-free loans under its Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund.
The intervention benefited 7,450 academic and non-academic staff across 153 public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education during the 2025/2026 cycle, with fresh applications set to open later this month.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the development on Friday in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the Ministry, the programme is being implemented by the Bank of Industry under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It offers interest-free loans of up to ₦10 million to eligible staff members to ease financial burdens, improve welfare and enhance productivity.
Folasade also announced that applications for the next phase of the scheme will commence at the end of June 2026.
“The intervention, one of the largest staff welfare initiatives in Nigeria’s education sector, underscores the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to improving the welfare, financial wellbeing, and productivity of education workers under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement read.
“Established by the Federal Ministry of Education and administered by the Bank of Industry (BOI), TISSF provides interest-free loans of up to ₦10 million to eligible staff of public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
“The facility is designed to support beneficiaries in addressing personal and professional needs while enhancing their overall wellbeing.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in the people who drive teaching, learning, research, and innovation across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
“He noted that through the TISSF, the Federal Government is easing financial pressures on education workers, improving livelihoods, and strengthening the workforce responsible for shaping Nigeria’s future.”
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a key pillar of the Ministry’s wider education reform agenda and urged qualified staff to take advantage of the upcoming application window.
According to the Minister, no education system can rise above the quality of the people who sustain it. He stressed that investments in infrastructure, technology, skills development, research and institutional reforms must be matched with practical measures that improve staff welfare and overall quality of life.
Alausa said the successful completion of the 2025/2026 phase reflects both the high demand for the scheme and its positive impact on education workers.
He added that the programme complements broader efforts to improve teaching and learning, strengthen research and innovation, enhance institutional governance and build a more resilient and globally competitive education system.
Since disbursements began on October 28, 2025, more than 42,000 applications have been processed through the programme’s digital platform, with beneficiaries drawn from all six geopolitical zones.
Universities accounted for 52 per cent of the total disbursements, while colleges of education and polytechnics received 25 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.
The Ministry also noted that the programme has ensured equitable access across the country while identifying areas where participation, particularly among female staff and in some regions, can be improved.
Female beneficiaries made up 19 per cent of recipients during the 2025/2026 cycle. As a result, targeted awareness campaigns and outreach programmes will form a major part of the next phase.
To improve users’ experience, the Ministry said it is upgrading the application process and strengthening engagement with participating institutions to deliver a faster, more efficient and user-friendly system.
“Applications for the 2026/2027 phase of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund will officially open at the end of June 2026. Eligible academic and non-academic staff are encouraged to engage with their institutions’ bursary departments and monitor official Ministry communication channels for application guidelines and further details,” the statement added.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to building a stronger education sector by supporting staff, strengthening institutions and ensuring every investment contributes to better learning outcomes, research excellence, innovation and national development.
