NSITF backs FG’s new welfare package for civil servants, pledges effective implementation of ECS
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Oluwaseun Faleye, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to effective implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) for federal civil
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Oluwaseun Faleye, has reaffirmed the agency's commitment to effective implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) for federal civil servants, following the Federal Government’s unveiling of a new welfare enhancement package for workers in the civil service.
Faleye gave assurance in Abuja during a press briefing by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, at which point... a series of welfare measures for federal workers were announced.
According to a statement by NSITF, Faleye commended Walson-Jack for what he described as a landmark initiative to improve the living conditions of civil servants, assuring that the Fund would complement the efforts of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) through prompt and professional implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
“I appreciate your leadership for bringing to bear all of the just announced welfare packages and schemes for the benefit of the Federal Civil Servant. On our part as NSITF, on behalf of the board and management of NSITF, I reiterate our commitment to the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, particularly for the benefit of the Federal Civil Servants whose agencies are treasury-funded,” Faleye said.
He recalled that the recent establishment of an ECS desk office within the OHCSF was part of efforts to strengthen access to compensation benefits for civil servants and improve awareness of the scheme.
Faleye said, “You will recall a few days ago we were here, where we officially commissioned the desk situated in the service welfare office under the Head of Service, mainly to provide a one-stop shop for continuous advocacy, continuous enlightenment regarding the processes under the employee compensation scheme.
“That office is manned in a way that we should be able to provide guidance and support for all Federal Civil Servants who may require one, as to how best to not only comply, but to also, of course, benefit from the scheme.”
Faleye said under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between NSITF and the OHCSF, the NSITF had committed to supporting enlightenment campaigns across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure civil servants fully understand the processes and benefits under the scheme.
He said, “We have undertaken under the Memorandum of Understanding signed by NSITF and the Office of the Head of Service, to not only offer our services in a very prompt and professional way, but to support enlightenment efforts across the ministries, departments and agencies to ensure that all civil servants understand clearly what the rules of engagement are, and what they need to do if there are any work-related issues or challenges that fall under the mandate of the employee compensation scheme.
“I'm using this opportunity again to reiterate our commitment to all the things that we've agreed to, and we hope that this will be a commencement of a much deeper relationship between the Federal Civil Service and the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund.”
Earlier, Walson-Jack described the newly introduced welfare package as a major milestone under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the welfare of civil servants had moved “from rhetoric to reality.”
“This moment I believe calls for special acknowledgement of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. History will record that it was under this Administration that the welfare of the Civil Servant moved from rhetoric to reality. Mr. President's commitment to Public Servants is not theoretical; it is visible, it is deliberate, and it is impactful. His leadership has created the enabling environment for everything I am about to share with you today,” she stated.
According to her, the welfare package is a clear demonstration that the present administration places the welfare of Nigerian workers at the centre of governance.
“This Press Briefing is not just another announcement. It is a declaration. A declaration that the Nigerian Civil Servant matters. A declaration that your welfare is no longer a footnote but has become the front and centre of this Administration's agenda. A declaration that dedication, real, consistent, professional dedication, will be matched with tangible and meaningful support.
“As we stand just one week away from Workers' Day — International Labour Day on the 1st of May — the timing of these announcements is no coincidence. It is a deliberate and powerful message: that those who serve this nation deserve to be celebrated not just in words but in policy, in action, and in Naira,” she said.
Walson-Jack also commended NSITF for its partnership in implementing the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
“To the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, your partnership has been exemplary. You have transformed a long-standing legislative provision into a living, breathing protection for Civil Servants and their families. That is no small achievement, and I commend your leadership and your team,” she said.
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Speaking on the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, the Head of Service said the initiative had become an effective social protection mechanism for civil servants affected by workplace injuries, occupational diseases, disability or death in the line of duty.
“The Employees’ Compensation Scheme has been operationalised as a structured social protection mechanism to compensate Civil Servants who suffer work-related injuries, occupational diseases, disability, or loss of life in the course of duty.
“This Scheme complements the existing Group Life Assurance Scheme and significantly expands the scope of protection available to our workforce and their families. A Civil Servant, therefore, should never have to worry that an accident at work will leave their family without support. That assurance is now in place,” she said.
Among the welfare measures announced by the Federal Government is an N10 billion housing loan scheme aimed at expanding access to affordable homeownership for public servants.
Other incentives include full Duty Tour Allowance for approved training, upward review of peculiar allowance across grade levels, and increases in estacode, book allowance and other entitlements to reflect prevailing economic realities
