NSITF MD seeks stronger social protection system amid rising workforce demands
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has called for a stronger and more responsive social protection framework in Nigeria, citing rising workforce demands driven by population growth and a
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has called for a stronger and more responsive social protection framework in Nigeria, citing rising workforce demands driven by population growth and a rapidly evolving labour market.
The Managing Director of NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, made the call on Wednesday in his remarks at the 2026 International Social Security Association (ISSA) West Africa Seminar in Abuja themed “Improving inclusiveness and accessibility of social security services through effective communication in West Africa.”
He said Nigeria’s demographic realities make the need for an effective social security system unavoidable, given the size of its youthful population, expanding informal sector, and changing employment patterns.
Faleye explained that under the Employees’ Compensation Act of 2010, the NSITF has a legal responsibility to provide protection for workers in cases of workplace injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities, and death.
He said, “Nigeria’s context makes these conversations particularly urgent. With a large and youthful population, a dynamic labour market, and one of the largest informal economies in Africa, the demand for responsive and strong social protection systems is undeniable.
“The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, under the Employees’ Compensation Act of 2010, carries a statutory responsibility to provide protection against work-related injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities, and death. This mandate is not theoretical. It is about real people, real risks, and real consequences for families and communities.”
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The NSITF chief said the agency was undergoing deliberate reforms aimed at strengthening service delivery and improving efficiency through digital transformation.
According to him, the agency has transitioned from fragmented, paper-based systems to more integrated digital platforms designed to improve claims processing, data management, and transparency.
Faleye said, “At NSITF, we have come to recognise that delivering on this mandate in today’s environment requires deliberate transformation.
“Over the years, we have embarked on a progressive digital journey, moving away from fragmented, paper-based processes toward more integrated systems that enhance integrity, improve service delivery, and strengthen public confidence.”
Faleye, however, noted that digital reform must be continuous and supported by strong governance structures, cybersecurity, and institutional culture.
“Digital transformation is not a one-off project; it is a continuous process that demands skills, governance, cybersecurity, and above all, institutional culture.”
Faleye added that platforms like the ISSA Technical Session remain vital for shared learning and policy improvement.
He expressed appreciation to the International Social Security Association (ISSA) for providing a global platform for knowledge exchange, noting that Nigeria values the trust placed in it to host the 2026 West Africa Technical Session.
“It is with profound honour, deep humility, and genuine pleasure that I welcome you all to Abuja, Nigeria, for the 2026 ISSA West Africa Technical Session,” he said.
Faleye also described Nigeria’s hosting of the event as a responsibility that reflects regional confidence in the country’s social security institutions.
“Nigeria welcomes you not merely as delegates, but as partners in a collective mission. In our diversity of language, culture, and institutional experience, we are united by a common purpose,” he said.
He referenced the 2025 ISSA West Africa meeting held in Conakry, Guinea, describing it as a productive platform that highlighted shared challenges across the sub-region, including coverage gaps, informality, and financing pressures.
Speaking further, Faleye quoted ISSA Secretary-General Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano as saying that social security systems earn public trust not only through technology but through governance and human dignity.
“Social security systems do not earn public confidence merely by adopting technology, but by using innovation to strengthen governance, expand inclusion, and uphold human dignity,” he said.
He urged participants at the seminar to engage in frank discussions that would help improve social protection systems across West Africa.
“Let us share experiences frankly—what has worked and what has not. Let us explore how digital tools can be deployed responsibly, how governance can be strengthened, and how social security institutions can continue to serve as anchors of stability in an increasingly uncertain world,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Dingyadi, described social security as a key pillar of social justice, industrial harmony, and economic growth.
He said the rapidly changing nature of work globally makes it necessary for Nigeria and other West African countries to strengthen their social protection systems.
“The theme not only reminds us that social security is not merely a safety net, but a fundamental pillar for social justice, industrial harmony and sustainable economic growth,” Dingyadi said.
He added that technological advancement and the expansion of the informal sector further underscore the urgency of adapting social protection systems to current realities.
