The Federal Government has introduced the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a loan scheme offering up to N10 million to eligible academic and non-academic staff in Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Unveiled during a stakeholder engagement session in Abuja on July 26, 2025, the initiative aims to enhance financial stability, improve quality of life, and support career development for tertiary institution staff.
Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, announced that the scheme caps loans at 33.3% of a staff member’s gross annual salary.
“This fund is designed to boost welfare and professional growth for both academic and non-academic staff,” the ministry’s statement read.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu revealed at the 54th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) on July 26, 2025, that the 2025 federal budget allocates a record N3.52 trillion to education—a 61.47% increase from 2024. Represented by Prof.
Madu Offor, Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Tinubu emphasized that education is vital for economic growth, social stability, and technological advancement, fostering innovation and reducing crime.
Tinubu highlighted his administration’s focus on transformative policies for inclusivity, skill acquisition, and quality education. He urged UNN graduates to leverage their entrepreneurial training to drive progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Your education is a tool for change; use it to transform our nation,” he said, describing Nigeria’s challenges as opportunities in disguise.
The President praised UNN’s historical role as Nigeria’s first indigenous university, noting its continued relevance in meeting national manpower needs.
UNN Chancellor, His Imperial Majesty Dr. Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, encouraged graduates to embody unity, diversity, and the restoration of human dignity as ambassadors of the institution.
