FG Rolls Out N10m Lifeline for Varsity Workers Nationwide

In a bold step to improve staff welfare and boost institutional efficiency, the Federal Government has introduced a N10 million support fund aimed at employees of tertiary institutions nationwide.

Known as the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), the initiative provides financial assistance of up to N10 million per eligible applicant, not exceeding 33.3% of their gross annual salary. The fund targets both academic and non-academic staff of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

The scheme allows the funds to be used for a range of needs including transportation, health-related expenses, and small-scale ventures like poultry farming, aligning with broader goals of financial empowerment and self-sufficiency.

The announcement was made through a press statement by the Ministry of Education’s Director of Press, Folasade Boriowo, following a high-level stakeholder meeting held in Abuja.

Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa described the fund as more than a welfare package — framing it as an empowerment initiative designed to enhance both the quality of life and professional capabilities of tertiary education staff.

“TISSF is a structured effort to secure financial stability for our educators and institutional workers,” he said. “It is a means to ensure they thrive professionally and personally, ultimately driving national development through education.”

The disbursement and administration of the fund will be overseen by the Bank of Industry, a move expected to ensure transparency and accountability.

Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, highlighted that the scheme was the result of thorough consultations with staff unions, institutional leaders, and education stakeholders.

To ensure its effectiveness and integrity, a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework has been embedded within the programme.

The initiative has received widespread praise from key stakeholders in the education sector, including vice-chancellors, provosts, rectors, and representatives from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Bank of Industry, all of whom lauded the fund as both timely and essential for revitalizing morale and productivity across the nation’s tertiary institutions.