By Emmanuel Ulayi When Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye assumed office as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, on July 16, 2024, the agency was at a critical point in its history. Faced with backlogs of claims, low public awareness and largely manual processes, the organisation responsible for providing social protection to Nigerian workers was struggling to meet the expectations of an expanding workforce. Two years later, the story is changing.
NSITF is processing claims faster, registering more employers, increasing beneficiary payments and aligning its operations with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. From improved compensation delivery for injured workers, to digital transformation and international partnerships, the Fund is repositioning itself as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s workplace social security system. Faster compensation The mandate of NSITF is straightforward: to ensure that no Nigerian worker is left without support following workplace injury, disability or death.
Under Faleye’s leadership, clearing the backlog of compensation claims became an immediate priority. The Fund introduced new standard operating procedures aimed at improving verification processes and accelerating payments to beneficiaries. The administration has consistently emphasised that workers deserve dignity during periods of distress, and compensation remains at the centre of the Fund’s operations.
Beyond claims payment, NSITF has intensified awareness campaigns among employers and workers across the formal and informal sectors. Employers are being encouraged to comply with the Employees’ Compensation Act, while workers are being educated about their rights to social protection. For many families that previously lacked a safety net after workplace accidents, the scheme has become a source of financial stability and hope.
Under Renewed Hope Agenda The reforms at NSITF are closely linked to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth. The Fund’s management believes social security should not be viewed as welfare alone but as an investment that improves productivity and strengthens the economy. “When workers know they are protected, employers comply more, and the economy becomes more stable,” a senior management official not…
Summary from source