Nigerian govt disburses N13 billion interest-free loans to 7,450 tertiary institution workers

The Nigerian government has disbursed more than 13 billion naira (approximately $8.5 million USD) in interest-free loans to 7,450 academic and non-academic staff across 153 public tertiary institutions nationwide. This significant disbursement is part of the government's 2025/2026 cycle of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF).

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Consequently, targeted sensitisation and outreach efforts will form a key component of the next phase of implementation.

The TISSF, introduced in July 2025, is a federal loan scheme designed to support workers in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Eligible staff can access interest-free loans of up to 10 million naira, capped at 33.3 percent of their gross annual salary. These funds are intended for purposes such as transportation, healthcare, and small-scale business ventures, aiming to enhance the financial well-being and productivity of the workforce.

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the scheme as a key component of the education reform agenda and urged eligible staff to take advantage of the next application window.

Despite initial rejection from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) last year, who argued for better welfare conditions and renegotiation of agreements, the scheme has seen substantial uptake. The ministry reported processing over 42,000 applications since disbursements began on October 28, 2025. Universities received 52 percent of the loans, followed by colleges of education (25 percent) and polytechnics (23 percent). Female staff constituted 19 percent of the beneficiaries in this cycle.

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Mr Alausa described the intervention as one of the largest staff welfare programmes in Nigeria’s education sector, aimed at improving the welfare, financial wellbeing and productivity of workers in tertiary institutions.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa described the TISSF as a cornerstone of the education reform agenda and one of the largest staff welfare programs in Nigeria's education sector. He emphasized that investments in infrastructure and reforms must be complemented by measures that improve staff quality of life. Applications for the 2026/2027 phase are expected to open later this month, with targeted outreach planned to encourage wider participation, especially among female staff.

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investments in infrastructure, technology, research and institutional reforms must be complemented by measures that improve staff welfare and quality of life.