In a major move to boost staff welfare in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, the Federal Government has launched the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF) — a 0% interest loan scheme designed to provide financial stability and long-term empowerment to both academic and non-academic personnel.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative on Friday, describing it as a strategic component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Reform Agenda for Education.
“This initiative directly supports the professional growth and wellbeing of staff in our universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education,” Alausa said. “It is more than a welfare package — it’s an empowerment platform that enables our educators to live and work with dignity.”
Key Features of the Scheme
According to Dr. Alausa, the TISSF is a collaborative initiative between the Federal Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and the Bank of Industry.
The scheme offers:
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Up to ₦10 million in interest-free loans
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12-month moratorium before repayment begins
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Five-year repayment period
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Loan cap at 33.3% of an applicant’s gross annual salary
Loan Can Be Used For:
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Medical Support – Including surgeries, emergency treatments, and medications
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Family & Housing – Rent payments, home purchases, or renovations
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Transport – For purchasing vehicles (including electric), bikes, tricycles, or CNG conversions
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Small Business & Agriculture – Poultry, fishery, crop farming, agro-processing
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Academic Growth – Further studies, certifications, and capacity-building programs
Eligibility Criteria
The scheme is open to:
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Confirmed full-time academic and non-academic staff at any federal university, polytechnic, or college of education
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One state-owned tertiary institution per state
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Staff with at least five years remaining until retirement
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Registered members of relevant staff unions such as ASUU, SSANU, and NASU
“To all eligible staff — now is the time. Begin your application today. This is an opportunity to build a more secure future,” the minister urged.
Applications can be submitted via the official portal: https://tissf.education.gov.ng
