By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The federal government has disbursed about N13 billion worth of interest-free loans to 7,450 academic and non-academic workers across 153 public tertiary institutions nationwide.

In a statement issued on Friday, Boriowo Folashade, director of press and publications at the federal ministry of education, said the disbursement forms part of the 2025/2026 cycle of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF).

According to the ministry, the intervention reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare, financial wellbeing 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 wellbeing.

The statement said Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in personnel driving teaching, learning, research and innovation across tertiary institutions.

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.

Tunji Alausa, minister of education, 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,” the statement reads.

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

The ministry said the programme has promoted equitable access nationwide while identifying opportunities to increase participation among female staff and improve uptake in some regions.

Female beneficiaries accounted for 19 percent of recipients during the 2025/2026 cycle, according to the statement.

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

The ministry said it is enhancing the application process and deepening engagement with participating institutions to ensure a faster, more efficient and user-friendly experience for applicants.

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.

The governorship candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State and former Deputy Governor of the state, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has challenged the Kano State Government to present concrete evidence supporting allegations that he received funds from local government councils through his son, Mujahid Aminu Abdussalam.

Gwarzo made the demand in a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, following claims reportedly made by the spokesperson to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, who alleged that local government funds were channelled to the former deputy governor through his son.

According to Shuaibu, the allegations were “baseless, outrageous and totally ridiculous,” describing them as an attempt to damage Gwarzo’s reputation and undermine the integrity he has built throughout his years in public service.

“The allegations are mere figments of the Governor’s imagination lacking any basis,” Gwarzo said through his spokesperson. “We therefore categorically challenge the accuser to provide credible and verifiable evidence to substantiate these callous claims. Mere accusations, no matter how often repeated in the media, do not amount to proof.”

Shuaibu stated that Gwarzo rejected the allegations in their entirety and insisted that no evidence had been presented to support the claims being circulated against him and his family.

According to the statement, the former deputy governor maintained that his record in public office had always been guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and adherence to the rule of law.

Gwarzo further expressed confidence that the truth would eventually prevail, urging members of the public not to be swayed by what he described as unsubstantiated allegations.

The NDC governorship candidate also called on those making the allegations to pursue lawful and transparent channels if they possess any evidence, rather than relying on public accusations and media statements, according to Shuaibu.

The controversy stems from recent remarks allegedly made by Dawakin Tofa, spokesperson to Governor Yusuf, who reportedly claimed that funds belonging to local government councils in Kano State were diverted to Gwarzo through his son. However, no documentary evidence was cited in the statement issued by Gwarzo’s camp.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Government had not issued any additional response to Gwarzo’s challenge demanding proof of the allegations.

The statement was signed by Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, spokesperson to Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo and the NDC governorship candidate in Kano State, and was dated June 18, 2026.

The Kano State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening collaboration between the media and security agencies as part of efforts to safeguard democracy and national integrity.

Speaking at the ongoing NUJ National Security Summit in Abuja, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, conveyed the message of Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, stressing the critical role of the media in shaping public perception and supporting government initiatives.

Governor Yusuf emphasized that the media remains a vital channel through which government policies can reach the youth and wider society, noting that journalists have a responsibility to combat fake news, disinformation, and misinformation.

“The media has the responsibility of informing the public about government activities while also protecting and preserving the integrity of the nation. This is part of our constitutional duty as citizens,” Waiya stated on behalf of the governor.

He commended the summit’s theme, which highlights the nexus between security and media practices, describing it as “timely and visionary.” According to him, security matters require careful reporting, and the media must balance press freedom with national interest.

Waiya further disclosed that the Kano State Government has maintained a cordial relationship with security agencies, providing them with operational support including vehicles and logistics for the Police, NSCDC, JTF, and other formations.

He assured that both government-owned and private media outlets in Kano enjoy a free and enabling environment without harassment or intimidation, adding that the state organizes periodic capacity-building programs for journalists to enhance professionalism and service delivery.

“We are creating a nexus between the media, security, and government. By supporting security agencies, we are not only helping them but also protecting ourselves as citizens,” he said.

The commissioner concluded by reaffirming Kano State’s commitment to constitutional values, press freedom, and collaborative governance, stressing that the partnership between media and security agencies is essential for peace, stability, and development.