The Federal Government has disbursed N11.8bn to 6,842 academic and non-academic staff across Nigerian tertiary institutions under the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund.

The beneficiaries span 141 institutions, including federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

The TISSF, launched in August 2025, is a Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund-funded programme dedicated to enhancing the well-being, career development and financial stability of tertiary institution staff across Nigeria.

The joint initiative of the FME and TETFund aims to deliver zero per cent interest loans to enhance the welfare, career development and financial stability of tertiary institution staff.

The fund provides interest-free loans of up to N10m to eligible academic and non-academic staff.

Data published on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education, obtained by our correspondent, showed that there have been 34,000 verified applicants from 219 institutions so far.

Staff members of federal universities constitute the highest number of applicants (59 per cent), followed by those of polytechnics (23 per cent) and colleges of education (18 per cent).

Also under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative, 240 e-tricycles are reported to have been distributed across 12 institutions.

Key facts published on the website include: “Loans up to N10m per staff (0% interest); N11.8bn disbursed to 6,842 beneficiaries from 141 institutions.

“34,000 verified applicants from 219 institutions; Federal universities (59%), polytechnics (23%), COEs (18%); minimum five years to retirement required for eligibility.”

Other ongoing programmes under the initiative include the EduRevamp Teacher Platform, a digital training system introduced earlier this year to strengthen educators’ skills, and the School Safety Portal, developed in partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to improve security management in schools.

The ministry said the EduRevamp platform, launched at the first National Teacher Summit in January 2026, has recorded “37,000 registered users, with 18,000 teachers fully enrolled in its training modules.”

The platform provides audio and video lessons, case studies and certification opportunities for continuous professional development.

The School Safety Portal, created under the School Safety Act of 2025, currently contains data on more than 156,000 geolocated schools.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will convene its 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions on Monday, May 11, where critical decisions, including the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination cut-off marks for the 2026/2027 academic session, are expected to be determined.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the board’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin.

According to Benjamin, the meeting will take place at the Body of Benchers Auditorium, Plot 688, Institute and Research District, FCC Phase III, Jabi, Abuja.

It will bring together key stakeholders in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

He noted that major policy directions would be unveiled by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.

The statement read, “The board’s annual policy meeting on admissions is a crucial annual gathering where stakeholders decide minimum tolerable UTME marks, admission guidelines, and policies for tertiary institutions.

“Furthermore, the meeting is expected to, in particular, formally set the tone for the 2026/2027 admission exercise while impressing on attendees the need to adhere strictly to stipulated guidelines.

“Attendees at the 2026 meeting would include critical stakeholders such as vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, registrars and their admission officers.

“Others are regulatory bodies ranging from the National Universities Commission, National Commission for Colleges of Education, to the National Board for Technical Education, among others.”

The board added that goodwill messages are expected from agencies, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the National Youth Service Corps, and other stakeholders.

Benjamin further disclosed that the event will feature the 6th edition of the National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit Awards, aimed at promoting compliance with admission guidelines and improving standards in tertiary education across the country.

Governor Bassey Otu has expressed grief over the death of students and a staff member of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) who died in a road accident along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

In a statement shared on Facebook on Sunday, the governor described the incident as devastating, noting that it had plunged the state into mourning.

“I received with a deeply broken heart the devastating news of the tragic road accident involving students and a staff member of the University of Cross River State. This painful incident has cast a heavy shadow over our dear state and brought immense sorrow to us all,” he said.

He lamented the loss of young lives, describing the victims as promising individuals whose futures had been cut short.

“In one heartbreaking moment, we have lost some of our brightest young minds, full of promise, hope, and potential, alongside a committed staff member whose service reflected dedication and sacrifice,” he added.

“These were not just students; they were the future of Cross River State, dreams alive with purpose and possibility, now painfully cut short,” he added.

The governor also sympathised with the families of the victims and members of the university community affected by the tragedy.

“As a father, I cannot begin to imagine the depth of pain the families are going through at this time. My heart goes out to the parents who must now bear this unimaginable loss, to friends and classmates left in grief, and to the entire UNICROSS community weighed down by this tragedy.

“Please know that you are not alone. Cross River stands with you,” he said.

He offered prayers for the deceased and wished injured victims a speedy recovery.

“I pray that Almighty God grants eternal rest to the departed and comforts every grieving heart. In this moment of sorrow, I also extend my thoughts and prayers to those currently receiving treatment, trusting God for their speedy and full recovery,” he stated.

The governor added that his administration would continue to engage relevant authorities in response to the incident.

“As your Governor, I stand in solemn solidarity with all affected, and my administration will continue to engage with relevant authorities as we respond to this tragic incident,” he said.

“This is a painful time for us as a people. The pain of UNICROSS is my pain, and it is the pain of every Cross Riverian.”

PUNCH Metro had reported that at least three students and a staff member of the university died after a coaster bus conveying students collided with a container truck in Odukpani Local Government Area.

The accident occurred on Friday night as the students were returning from an official assignment in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The university confirmed that 24 students, mostly members of the Students’ Union Government executive, were involved in the crash.

Among those who died were the SUG Director of Sports, Solomon Uya; Lucky Erim, a Chemistry student and faculty president; Favour Darlington of the Department of Educational Management; and Mr. Anthony Arikpo, a staff member who drove the vehicle.

Survivors are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, while the police said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash and locate the truck driver who fled the scene.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM