The Federal Government has begun disbursing funds under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund, a welfare initiative aimed at improving the well-being, productivity, and innovation capacity of staff across Nigeria’s higher education system.
This was disclosed in a statement issued Thursday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, quoting the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
Alausa said the initiative, part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, has moved from planning to full-scale implementation, with over 9,000 staff of tertiary institutions already receiving payments in the first year.
“This represents 28 percent of the 33,000 verified applicants drawn from 219 federal and state tertiary institutions nationwide,” he said.
Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa says over 9,000 tertiary institution staff have benefited from the Federal Government’s new welfare support fund under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the minister, the first phase of the programme covers both academic and non-academic staff in a 30:70 ratio, reflecting the government’s inclusive approach to supporting all personnel in tertiary institutions.
“The President is delivering for our tertiary institutions — for welfare, for productivity, and for the future,” Alausa said. “Within just four months, payments have started going out. This is a President that delivers, and the Ministry of Education is profoundly grateful for his commitment to staff welfare.”
Alausa explained that the support fund goes beyond financial relief, describing it as an investment in the nation’s knowledge economy.
“This Fund is not merely about disbursement; it is about restoring dignity, rewarding dedication, and rebuilding the foundation of our knowledge economy,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and accountability, pledging quarterly financial reporting, institutional engagement, and strict monitoring to ensure judicious use of funds and sustainability of the programme.
He added that repayments from beneficiaries would expand access to more tertiary staff in subsequent phases, ensuring continuity and impact across the education sector.
