FG Flags Off Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund at FUTA

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a zero-interest loan scheme designed to enhance the welfare of staff in the nation’s higher institutions.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, CON, flagged off the initiative at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, with the formal presentation of cheques to selected beneficiaries.

Speaking at the event titled “The Fulfillment of a Promise,” Dr. Alausa described the day as a significant milestone in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. “Today is a great day — a day where policy transitions from paper to people,” he said. “We are not only distributing loans; we are witnessing the concrete fulfillment of a core promise made by the President to prioritize and improve the welfare of those who form the bedrock of our future — our educators.”

The Minister noted that under the Nigerian Education Sector Renewed Initiative (NESRI), the Federal Government directed the Ministry of Education to develop a sustainable mechanism to recognize and materially support staff of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The TISSF, he explained, provides zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million, capped at 33.3% of an applicant’s annual gross salary, to meet essential needs such as housing, healthcare, transportation, and small business development.

Dr. Alausa commended the contribution of academic and non-academic staff to national growth through teaching and research, emphasizing that “our nation’s future is not in the ground, but in the intellect of our citizens.” He described the loan scheme as “more than a welfare package, but a strategic national investment,” and urged beneficiaries to ensure timely repayment to sustain the initiative. “When you repay, you are performing an act of solidarity — your repayment replenishes the Fund’s capital, guaranteeing that others can also access this vital support,” he said.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the launch as a historic moment in the transformation of the education sector. She commended President Tinubu for his commitment to rebuilding the nation through policies that directly improve the welfare of educational workers, adding that the initiative comes at a crucial time to boost morale and productivity across tertiary institutions.

In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, expressed appreciation to the Minister for choosing FUTA as the starting point for the rollout of the scheme. She lauded the Federal Government’s dedication to strengthening the education sector and sustaining industrial harmony within universities.

Professor Oladiji also reaffirmed the commitment of university staff to the training of globally competitive graduates and called for continued government support to sustain peace and progress in the tertiary education system.