For thousands of lecturers and non-academic staff across Nigeria, the wait for financial relief continues. Under the Federal Government’s new Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund, only 9,000 out of 33,000 verified applicants have received payments — a fraction that has left many feeling overlooked.
On X (formerly Twitter), some education workers described the rollout as discouraging. “This is a very poor number,” wrote @nizamsikira. “It is not a good way to address the pressing welfare of staff.” Another user, @olofinbolu, called for transparency, urging a “breakdown university by university.”
The ₦10 million zero-interest loan is designed to support staff welfare and productivity, helping workers meet essential needs such as housing, healthcare, and education. Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa described the initiative as “an investment in the nation’s knowledge economy,” and promised that subsequent phases would include more beneficiaries.
Recall that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) rejected the loan scheme when it was introduced earlier this year, describing it as a “debt trap” that fails to address structural challenges in the university system. The union argued that the government should instead prioritise clearing unpaid salaries, improving funding, and implementing its renegotiated agreements.
As @victorezeora wrote on X: “Stop misinforming Nigerians. This does not even scratch the surface in addressing the issues you have with ASUU.”
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