The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of funds under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), aimed at enhancing staff welfare, institutional productivity, and innovation across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.

Launched in August 2025 following a high-level stakeholder engagement in July, the initiative forms a core component of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) — a major reform under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Quoting the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Boriowo said the programme had moved from planning to full implementation, with over 9,000 staff of tertiary institutions receiving payments in its first phase.

This figure, according to the minister, represents 28 percent of the 33,000 verified applicants drawn from 219 federal and state-owned tertiary institutions nationwide.

Alausa explained that the first round of payments covered both academic and non-academic staff in a 30:70 ratio, reflecting the government’s inclusive commitment to improving the welfare of all categories of personnel in the nation’s higher education sector.

“The President is delivering for our tertiary institutions — for welfare, for productivity, and for the future. Within just four months, payments have started going out. This is a President that delivers, and the Ministry of Education is profoundly grateful for his continuous support and commitment to staff welfare,” Alausa stated.

The minister further described the initiative as more than just financial aid, noting that it represents an investment in Nigeria’s “knowledge economy.”

“This Fund is not merely about disbursement; it is about restoring dignity, rewarding dedication, and rebuilding the foundation of our knowledge economy,” he added.