The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) is seeking to expand the coverage of its Employees’ Compensation Scheme to more workers, including those in Nigeria’s informal sector.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Kamil Shoretire, made the call during a visit to the NSITF headquarters in Abuja.
Shoretire urged the Fund to strengthen collaboration with sister agencies and other relevant stakeholders to ensure more workers benefit from the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
He also called for greater emphasis on preventive measures aimed at improving workplace safety and reducing occupational accidents and injuries.
The NSITF Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye, said the Fund’s ongoing reforms had improved its capacity to administer the scheme and expand its reach.
Faleye said the organisation had transitioned from largely manual operations to a more digital and accountable system over the past two years.
According to him, the reforms introduced by the current management include a comprehensive staff audit, digital transformation, a voluntary exit exercise and improvements to offices and operational tools.
He said the management inherited challenges including a top-heavy organisational structure, career stagnation and gaps in the deployment of human and material resources.
Faleye added that the reforms were already producing results in the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, with treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies onboarded.
He disclosed that the first batch of five beneficiaries had recently received compensation under the scheme.
The NSITF boss said the Fund would continue to improve its operations and strengthen service delivery to workers covered by the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
Shoretire’s call for wider coverage comes amid efforts by government agencies to ensure that workers, including those outside the formal employment structure, have greater access to social protection and compensation mechanisms.
