By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos 

The Federal Government has disbursed more than ₦13 billion in interest-free loans to 7,450 academic and non-academic staff across 153 public tertiary institutions under the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), with applications for the 2026/2027 cycle set to open later this month.

The Federal Ministry of Education, which disclosed this in a statement on Friday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, said the intervention underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare and productivity of tertiary education workers under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the ministry, the fund, administered by the Bank of Industry, provides interest-free loans of up to ₦10 million to eligible staff of public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to meet personal and professional needs.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the ministry said, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in the people driving teaching, learning, research and innovation, noting that the scheme is easing financial pressures on education workers, improving livelihoods and strengthening the workforce responsible for shaping the country’s future.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the programme as a key component of the ministry’s reform agenda and urged eligible workers to take advantage of the next application window.

According to him, “No education system can outperform the people who sustain it,” stressing that investments in infrastructure, technology, research, skills development and institutional reforms must be matched with practical measures that improve staff welfare and quality of life.

The minister said the successful completion of the 2025/2026 cycle highlights both the strong demand for and positive impact of the scheme, adding that it complements wider efforts to strengthen teaching and learning, promote research and innovation, improve institutional governance and build a globally competitive education system.

The ministry disclosed that over 42,000 applications had been processed since disbursements commenced on October 28, 2025. Universities accounted for 52 per cent of beneficiaries, while colleges of education and polytechnics received 25 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.

It added that women accounted for 19 per cent of beneficiaries during the cycle, prompting plans for targeted sensitisation campaigns to improve female participation and expand access in underrepresented regions.

The ministry said applications for the 2026/2027 TISSF cycle will open at the end of June, urging eligible academic and non-academic staff to liaise with their institutions’ bursary departments and monitor official channels for application guidelines.