The Federal Government has completed the 2025/2026 cycle of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), disbursing more than ₦13 billion in interest-free loans to 7,450 academic and non-academic staff across 153 public tertiary institutions nationwide.
The government also announced that applications for the 2026/2027 phase of the programme will open at the end of June 2026.
The TISSF, established by the Federal Ministry of Education and administered by the Bank of Industry (BOI), provides interest-free loans of up to ₦10 million to eligible staff of public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare and financial wellbeing of education workers under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“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.”
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the programme as a key pillar of the Ministry’s education reform agenda and urged eligible staff to apply when the next application window opens.
“No education system can outperform the people who sustain it.”
He said investments in infrastructure, technology, skills development, research and institutional reforms must be matched by practical measures that improve staff welfare and quality of life.
“Ongoing investments in infrastructure, technology, skills development, research, and institutional reforms must be complemented by practical measures that improve staff welfare and quality of life.”
Dr. Alausa said the successful completion of the 2025/2026 cycle demonstrates both the strong demand for and the positive impact of the intervention.
“The successful completion of the 2025/2026 phase demonstrates both the strong demand for and the positive impact of the intervention.”
He added that the programme complements broader efforts to strengthen teaching and learning, support research and innovation, improve institutional governance and build a more resilient and globally competitive education system.
“The programme complements wider efforts to strengthen teaching and learning, support research and innovation, improve institutional governance, and build a more resilient and globally competitive education system.”
Since disbursements began on October 28, 2025, the programme has processed more than 42,000 applications through its digital platform, with beneficiaries drawn from all six geopolitical zones. Universities accounted for 52 per cent of disbursements, while colleges of education and polytechnics received 25 per cent and 23 per cent, respectively.
The Ministry said the programme has promoted equitable access nationwide, although female beneficiaries accounted for 19 per cent of recipients during the 2025/2026 cycle.
“The programme has promoted equitable access nationwide while identifying opportunities to strengthen participation among female staff and increase uptake in some regions.”
The Ministry said targeted sensitisation and outreach campaigns would be intensified to improve participation in the next phase.
“Targeted sensitisation and outreach efforts will form a key component of the next phase of implementation.”
The Federal Ministry of Education also said it is enhancing the application process to make it faster, more efficient and user-friendly.
“The Federal Ministry of Education is enhancing the application process to ensure a faster, more efficient, and user-friendly experience for applicants.”
Applications for the 2026/2027 cycle will open at the end of June 2026. Eligible academic and non-academic staff have been advised to engage with their institutions’ bursary departments and monitor official Ministry communication channels for application guidelines and further details.
“The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to building an education sector where staff are supported, institutions are strengthened, and every investment contributes to improved learning outcomes, research excellence, innovation, and national development.”