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FG begins disbursement of tertiary staff support fund to boost welfare and innovation
The Federal Government has begun distributing resources through the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund, an initiative aimed at bolstering employee welfare, enhancing institutional performance, and fostering innovation throughout Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
According to an official communication released Thursday in Abuja by Mrs Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, this development marks a significant step forward.
In her statement, Boriowo referenced Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa’s remarks on this achievement, noting that the welfare program forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
READ ALSO: N71billion Students Loan: No money is missing – NELFUND boss
Dr Alausa indicated that the scheme has moved beyond the planning stages into active execution, with over 9,000 tertiary institution employees having received funds during its inaugural year.
This figure, he noted, accounts for 28 per cent of the 33,000 validated applicants representing 219 federal and state higher education institutions nationwide.
According to Alausa, the initial distribution phase encompassed both teaching and non-teaching staff in a 30:70 allocation ratio, demonstrating the administration’s comprehensive strategy toward supporting diverse employee categories within the nation’s higher learning establishments.
“The President is delivering for our tertiary institutions- for welfare, for productivity, and for the future.
“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 continuous support and commitment to staff welfare,” Alausa said.
Dr Alausa stressed that this program extends beyond mere financial aid, characterizing it as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s knowledge-based 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.
He reinforced the ministry’s commitment to openness, promising quarterly fiscal reports, institutional collaboration, and comprehensive oversight systems to guarantee proper fund utilization and repayment, thereby enabling broader access for additional beneficiaries moving forward.
The News Agency of Nigeria notes that this program, initiated in August 2025 following high-level stakeholder consultations in July, represents a central element of the federal government’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative.
Its purpose is to boost employee morale, enhance performance standards, and promote institutional distinction within the tertiary education arena.
Through this arrangement, qualified personnel may obtain up to N10 million through concessionary zero-interest financing to address critical livelihood and productivity requirements, encompassing accommodation, medical care, educational expenses, mobility, and entrepreneurial activities.
It bears noting that in August, the Federal Government introduced the TISSF as a groundbreaking welfare and empowerment measure for teaching and non-teaching personnel across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Education Minister Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa characterized the fund as a targeted solution addressing welfare concerns and professional development requirements of the country’s tertiary institution workforce.
**U.S. President issues stark ultimatum, warns of possible armed action against Islamic militants
United States President Donald Trump has issued a severe warning to the Nigerian government, threatening to halt all American aid and potentially launch military operations in the country if attacks on Christians continue.
In a statement released Saturday night on Truth Social, Trump delivered an ultimatum that escalates tensions between both countries, threatening direct U.S. military intervention in Africa’s most populous nation.
READ ALSO: Tinubu fires back at Trump, says Nigeria rejects religious persecution
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump declared.
The American leader indicated he has already directed military officials to begin preparations for potential action in Nigeria.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” he stated.
Trump concluded his statement with an urgent warning to Nigerian authorities.
“WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!” he said.
The threat comes just one day after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution, a move that drew swift condemnation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his Friday response, President Tinubu rejected the characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant, stating that the country “stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.”
The Nigerian president emphasized that his administration has been actively engaging with both Christian and Muslim leaders since 2023 while addressing security challenges affecting citizens of all faiths across the country.
Trump’s latest statement marks a dramatic escalation in rhetoric and raises serious questions about U.S.-Nigeria relations and the potential for American military involvement in West Africa.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has revealed major financial relief measures and workforce expansion plans aimed at resolving persistent grievances among healthcare workers, especially those in the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
In a Thursday statement, Minister of State for Health Dr. Iziaq Salako revealed that President Bola Tinubu had authorized accelerated payment of outstanding dues to health sector employees, including NARD members.
According to him, as of Thursday, October 30, an additional ₦21.3 billion had been transferred to the IPPIS account, and payment to beneficiaries had commenced.
READ ALSO: Resident doctors declare indefinite nationwide strike over unmet demands
He added that another ₦11.995 billion is being processed for release within 72 hours to settle other outstanding arrears, including the accoutrement allowance.
Dr. Salako explained that these payments are being made in line with the approved salary structure for the health sector.
The Federal Government has additionally issued special waivers permitting large-scale hiring of healthcare workers across federal tertiary institutions to combat the effects of brain drain and excessive work hours.
He noted that this recruitment drive is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s health facilities are adequately staffed, safe, and equipped to deliver quality healthcare services to citizens.
Regarding continued discussions, Dr. Salako stated that collective bargaining sessions are ongoing with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)—NARD’s parent body—alongside the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
Dr. Salako emphasized that these interventions reflect the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of health workers, ensuring industrial harmony, and upholding the uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services to Nigerians.
These developments follow NARD’s October 26 announcement of plans to begin an indefinite nationwide strike from November 1, 2025.
Disclosing this in a statement, NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, said the strike directive was issued after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the Federal Government over unresolved demands.
The decision was reached after a five-hour National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday.
“The NEC has marshalled out minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, and ‘no work, no pay/no pay, no work’ resolutions needed for a successful execution of this action,” the statement reads in part.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a response to US President Donald Trump, asserting that Nigeria rejects religious persecution.
The statement came after Trump’s Friday announcement re-categorizing Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” Trump alleged that Nigerian Christians face existential danger and promised American protection.
READ ALSO: Trump raises alarm over killings in Nigeria, declares country “of particular concern”
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” Trump said in a social media post on Friday.
President Tinubu replied on Saturday through social media, underscoring Nigeria’s dedication to religious freedom.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” he said.
“Since 2023, our administration has actively engaged with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges affecting citizens across all faiths and regions.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into account the consistent and sincere efforts of our government to safeguard freedom of religion and belief for all Nigerians.
“Religious freedom and tolerance are core tenets of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.
“Our constitution guarantees the protection of citizens of all faiths, and our administration remains committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation in protecting communities of all religions.”
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