Federal Government  says it has disbursed about N13 billion in interest-free loans to 7,450 academic and non-academic workers across 153 public tertiary institutions nationwide.

According to a statement issued, Friday, and signed by Boriowo Folashade, the Director of Press and Publications at the Ministry of Education, the disbursement forms part of the 2025/2026 cycle of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF).

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According to the ministry, the intervention reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare, financial well-being, and productivity of education workers under the renewed hope agenda.

Established by the Ministry of Education and administered by the Bank of Industry (BOI), the TISSF provides interest-free loans of up to N10 million to eligible staff of public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The loan is designed to help beneficiaries address personal and professional needs while enhancing their overall well-being.

The ministry added that the programme is helping to ease financial pressures on education workers, improve livelihoods and strengthen the workforce responsible for shaping Nigeria’s future.

Commenting, Minister of Education, Mr. Tunji Alausa, described the scheme as a critical component of the ministry’s broader education reform agenda and urged eligible staff to take advantage of the next application window.

According to the minister, no education system can outperform the people who sustain it.

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

Alausa added that the successful completion of the 2025/2026 phase demonstrates both the strong demand for and positive impact of the intervention.

He said the programme complements ongoing efforts to strengthen teaching and learning, support research and innovation, improve institutional governance, and build a more resilient and globally competitive education system.

“Since disbursements commenced on 28 October 2025, the programme has processed over 42,000 applications through its digital platform, providing support to beneficiaries across all six geopolitical zones of the country.

“Universities accounted for 52 per cent of disbursements, while colleges of education and polytechnics represented 25 per cent and 23 per cent, respectively,” the minister said.

The ministry further disclosed that the programme has promoted equitable access nationwide while identifying opportunities to increase participation among female staff and improve uptake in some regions, adding that female beneficiaries accounted for 19 per cent of recipients during the 2025/2026 cycle.

The statement added that targeted sensitisation and outreach efforts would form a key component of the next phase of implementation.

The statement said applications for the 2026/2027 phase of the TISSF will officially open at the end of June 2026, with eligible staff advised to engage their institutions’ bursary departments and monitor official ministry communication channels for further details.