The Federal Government has announced that applications for the 2026/2027 cycle of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF) will open at the end of June 2026, giving eligible academic and non-academic staff in public tertiary institutions another opportunity to access interest-free loans of up to ₦10 million.
The announcement came as the Federal Ministry of Education confirmed the completion of the 2025/2026 phase of the scheme, which saw more than ₦13 billion disbursed to 7,450 beneficiaries across 153 public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide.
Administered by the Bank of Industry (BOI), the TISSF was created to provide financial support for workers in public tertiary institutions and help them address personal and professional needs without the burden of interest charges.
The Ministry said eligible workers should begin preparations ahead of the opening of the new application window and stay in touch with their institutions’ bursary departments for guidelines and other requirements.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the programme reflects his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare and productivity of education workers under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the Federal Government is using the intervention to ease financial pressures on workers and strengthen the human resources responsible for teaching, research and innovation in the country’s tertiary education system.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, described the TISSF as an important part of the Federal Government’s broader education reform agenda and encouraged eligible staff members to take advantage of the forthcoming application phase.
“No education system can outperform the people who sustain it,” the Minister said, stressing the need to complement investments in infrastructure, technology, research and skills development with measures that improve the welfare and quality of life of workers.
Dr. Alausa noted that the successful completion of the 2025/2026 cycle showed both the demand for the programme and its impact on staff across public institutions. He said the intervention supports efforts to strengthen teaching and learning, improve institutional governance and build a more competitive education sector.
Since disbursements began on October 28, 2025, the digital platform has processed more than 42,000 applications from beneficiaries across the six geopolitical zones.
Data released by the Ministry showed that universities accounted for 52 per cent of disbursements, while colleges of education and polytechnics represented 25 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.
The Ministry also disclosed that female beneficiaries accounted for 19 per cent of recipients during the 2025/2026 cycle. It said targeted sensitisation and outreach efforts would be intensified in the next phase to improve participation.
Ahead of the 2026/2027 application round, the Federal Ministry of Education said it is working to improve the process and deepen collaboration with participating institutions to ensure a faster and more user-friendly experience for applicants.
With the new application phase scheduled to commence at the end of June 2026, eligible academic and non-academic staff are expected to monitor official communication channels of the Ministry and their institutions for further updates on how to apply.
