The Federal Government has completed the 2025/2026 cycle of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), disbursing more than N13 billion in interest-free loans to 7,450 academic and non-academic staff across public tertiary institutions nationwide.
The disclosure was made by the Federal Ministry of Education in a press release issued on June 19, 2026. The ministry also announced that applications for the next phase of the programme will commence at the end of June 2026.
What the programme offers
The Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund was established by the Federal Ministry of Education and is administered by the Bank of Industry.
Under the scheme, eligible staff members of public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education can access interest-free loans of up to N10 million to support both personal and professional financial needs.
The initiative is designed to improve the welfare of tertiary institution workers while enhancing their productivity and overall contribution to the education sector.
Disbursement details
According to the ministry:
- More than N13 billion was disbursed during the 2025/2026 cycle.
- A total of 7,450 beneficiaries received loans.
- The beneficiaries were drawn from 153 public tertiary institutions across the country.
- Both academic and non-academic staff participated in the programme.
The successful completion of the disbursement cycle represents one of the largest interventions targeted at staff welfare within Nigeria’s public tertiary education system.
Expected impact
The government believes the scheme will help reduce financial pressures faced by tertiary institution employees by providing access to affordable financing without interest charges.
The facility can be used to address various needs, including:
- Professional development and career advancement.
- Educational and research-related expenses.
- Personal financial obligations.
- Small-scale investments and asset acquisition.
By easing financial constraints, the programme aims to improve staff morale, productivity, and service delivery across higher education institutions.
Next phase
The Ministry of Education announced that applications for the next round of the programme will open at the end of June 2026.
Eligible staff members in public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education are expected to have another opportunity to apply for the interest-free facility as the government continues efforts to support workforce development within the tertiary education sector.
Looking ahead
The latest disbursement underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s higher education system through staff-focused interventions.
As demand for affordable financing continues to grow, the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund is expected to remain a key component of government efforts to improve staff welfare and enhance the quality of education delivery across public tertiary institutions.
