FG Disburses Over N13bn Interest-Free Loans to 7,450 Tertiary Institution Workers, Opens New Application Phase

By Olusegun HOSEA, , Akure

19th June,2026

The Federal Government has completed the disbursement of 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), while announcing that applications for the 2026/2027 phase of the programme will open at the end of June.
The Federal Ministry of Education disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, describing the intervention as one of the largest staff welfare initiatives in Nigeria’s education sector.
According to the Ministry, the programme, established by the Federal Ministry of Education and administered by the Bank of Industry (BoI), provides interest-free loans of up to ₦10 million to eligible staff of public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to address personal and professional financial needs.
The Ministry said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at improving the welfare, financial stability and productivity of workers in the nation’s tertiary education sector.
It noted that the successful completion of the 2025/2026 cycle demonstrates the growing demand for the scheme and its positive impact on beneficiaries nationwide.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the programme as a key component of the Federal Government’s education reform agenda, stressing that no education system can outperform the people who sustain it.
He said investments in infrastructure, technology, research and institutional reforms must be complemented by practical measures that improve the welfare and quality of life of education workers.
Alausa added that the TISSF complements ongoing efforts to strengthen teaching and learning, support research and innovation, improve institutional governance, and build a globally competitive education system.
The Ministry disclosed that since disbursements commenced on October 28, 2025, the digital platform has processed over 42,000 applications from beneficiaries across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
It revealed that universities accounted for 52 per cent of the disbursements, while colleges of education and polytechnics received 25 per cent and 23 per cent, respectively.
The statement further noted that female beneficiaries represented 19 per cent of recipients during the 2025/2026 cycle, adding that targeted sensitisation and outreach programmes would be intensified to encourage greater participation by women and improve uptake in underserved regions.
To ensure a more efficient application process, the Ministry said it is enhancing its digital platform and strengthening engagement with participating institutions.
It urged eligible academic and non-academic staff to liaise with their institutions’ bursary departments and monitor official communication channels for application guidelines when the next application window opens at the end of June.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education sector through sustained investment in staff welfare, research, innovation and improved learning outcomes.