The Federal Government has responded to the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) rejection of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), insisting that the initiative is aimed at improving the welfare and productivity of both academic and non-academic staff in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

ASUU had criticized the fund as a “debt trap,” urging the government to instead use the resources to pay withheld salaries and implement the union’s re-negotiated agreements.

However, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, speaking during the disbursement of ceremonial cheques at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State, described TISSF as a support system designed to enhance staff living standards, institutional efficiency, and innovation.

“I want to be clear with our academic union. Some ASUU members said, ‘Oh, don’t give us TISSF; that’s not what we want.’ No. This is support. This is a layer of support in addition to other welfare initiatives we are pursuing,” Alausa said.

According to the minister, over 9,000 staff benefited from the first phase of the interest-free loan scheme, representing 28 percent of 33,000 verified applicants from 219 federal and state tertiary institutions nationwide.

The ₦10 million zero-interest loan, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is repayable over five to seven years, with a 24-month moratorium before repayment begins. Beneficiaries can use the funds for housing, transportation, healthcare, tuition, or small business ventures. Disbursement covered academic and non-academic staff in a 30:70 ratio, reflecting an inclusive approach.

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmed, described TISSF as a “visionary initiative” demonstrating the government’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s tertiary education system.

“Without motivated staff, learning becomes difficult. Lecturers, researchers, technologists, and administrators are the backbone of our institutions. Let’s make TISSF a sustainable and impactful mechanism that truly uplifts them,” she said.

The Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Adenike Temidayo Oladiji, praised the visit of both ministers as historic and commended reforms such as the separation of research accounts from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and improved access to TETFund grants. She also appealed for sustained peace in universities to prevent disruptions from industrial actions.

“Prolonged strikes destabilize the system and affect students. We hope the government will continue to engage stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted learning,” she added.