We Know We’re Not Paying You Well, Minister Tells Lecturers
— Federal Government Launches ₦10m Interest-Free Loan Scheme for Tertiary Institution Staff
6th November, 2025
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has admitted that the government is not paying lecturers adequately, assuring that efforts are underway to improve their welfare through sustainable initiatives. Speaking at the official launch of the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF) at the Federal University of Technology, the Minister said the scheme was designed to provide immediate relief and long-term support for academic and non-academic staff across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
“We know the government is not paying them enough. We’re working with ASUU and other trade unions to change that. But while that is ongoing, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed us to create a program that provides immediate support,” Alausa said.
He explained that the TISSF, a flagship initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda, offers interest-free loans of up to ₦10 million, repayable over a period of five to seven years, with a two-year grace period before repayment begins. According to the Minister, over 33,000 applications were received within the first phase, and 9,000 staff members—representing 30% of the applicants—have already been approved to receive the funds.
The loan, he added, can be used to meet various personal and professional needs, including housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and small-scale business ventures.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmed, also emphasized the importance of staff welfare to the success of Nigeria’s higher education system. She noted that motivated personnel are key to building a “knowledge-driven economy” and praised the Bank of Industry and other partners for supporting the program’s implementation.
“Without welfare, without motivated staff, learning becomes very difficult,” she said. “TISSF is a partnership instrument designed to uplift the men and women who sustain the heart of our tertiary institutions.”
Both ministers reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring that tertiary institutions remain globally competitive and that staff welfare remains at the center of education reforms.
With the disbursement already in progress, the TISSF marks one of the fastest welfare rollouts in recent years — moving from conception to implementation within four months.
