NSITF expands compensation scheme for workplace accidents
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has announced a major initiative to increase the reach and impact of its Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS), aiming to enroll more employers from various sectors and expand the percentage of funds allocated for beneficiaries who suffer from workplace accidents.
In a recent working visit to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Mararaba branches of the agency in Abuja, the Executive Director of Operations for NSITF, Mrs. Mojisolaoluwa Ali-Macaulay, outlined the organization’s renewed focus on workplace safety and employee welfare. This visit is part of a broader effort by the new executive management to reposition NSITF in accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to enhance national workforce safety.
Mrs. Ali-Macaulay highlighted the strategic direction under the leadership of the newly appointed Managing Director, Oluwaseun Falaye. She described Falaye as a deeply knowledgeable lawyer with extensive experience in corporate finance, handpicked by President Tinubu to breathe new life into the agency. The goal is to ensure the NSITF fulfills its critical role in safeguarding the well-being of Nigeria’s workforce.
“This administration, led by Oluwaseun Falaye, was carefully chosen by the President to inject new energy into the NSITF, recognizing the essential role it plays in promoting a healthy national workforce,” Ali-Macaulay stated.
She further emphasized that the NSITF’s primary responsibility is to ensure workplace safety and manage contributions from public and private sector employers. These funds are used to compensate employees who sustain injuries, disabilities, or diseases while on the job, as well as the dependents of employees who die in the course of their work.
One of the key objectives outlined by Ali-Macaulay is to increase the number of employers enrolled in the Employees Compensation Scheme across all sectors. This expansion is crucial to ensuring that more Nigerian workers are protected under the scheme and that the funds are used more effectively for their intended beneficiaries.
“We have taken on the challenging task of maximizing the Fund’s potential through stakeholder advocacy, aiming to bring more employers into the fold and expand the percentage of fund utilization for the benefit of workers who are injured or become ill due to their work,” she explained.
The NSITF’s focus on increasing enrollment in the ECS is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s social safety net and ensure that every worker has access to compensation in the event of workplace-related accidents or illnesses.
Beyond expanding the ECS, the NSITF is also committed to improving the welfare of its own staff. Ali-Macaulay acknowledged the hard work of NSITF employees across the 57 branches and 12 regions in Nigeria, who work tirelessly to implement the Employees Compensation Scheme.
Despite the challenging nature of their work, the welfare of these employees is a top priority for the agency’s leadership. Ali-Macaulay’s visit to the branches is part of a series of working tours aimed at gaining firsthand knowledge of the operational challenges faced by NSITF staff and finding ways to address them.
“I bring you good news from the Managing Director/CEO and the Executive Management: the welfare of NSITF staff is now a frontline priority,” Ali-Macaulay assured. “Where the Managing Director/CEO and I previously worked in Lagos, we made a tangible difference in the lives of our employees, and I am confident that we will do the same here in Abuja. Our mission is to leave the NSITF in a much better place than we found it.”
Under the new leadership, NSITF is also set to enforce stricter accountability measures and enhance its operational efficiency. This approach is designed to ensure that funds contributed by employers are managed responsibly and that the intended beneficiaries—workers and their dependents—receive their due compensation without delay.
Ali-Macaulay’s statements reflect a commitment to transparency and a renewed focus on fulfilling NSITF’s core mandate: to protect Nigerian workers and ensure they are compensated fairly for any harm suffered in the course of their employment.
The strategic initiatives announced by NSITF signal a significant shift towards a more inclusive and effective approach to employee compensation in Nigeria. By expanding the ECS and focusing on both the welfare of workers and its own staff, NSITF is positioning itself as a leader in promoting workplace safety and accountability.
The emphasis on expanding employer enrollment and increasing the percentage of funds allocated to beneficiaries demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that all Nigerian workers have access to the support they need in times of injury or illness. This approach not only aligns with the directives of President Tinubu but also reflects a broader vision for a safer, healthier, and more productive national workforce.
As NSITF moves forward with these new initiatives, the agency’s leadership remains focused on enhancing the safety and well-being of Nigeria’s workforce. With a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and operational excellence, NSITF is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of workplace safety in Nigeria.
The agency’s efforts to expand the Employees Compensation Scheme and improve staff welfare are not just about fulfilling a mandate—they are about making a real difference in the lives of Nigerian workers and their families. As the NSITF continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the workforce, it remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower the nation’s most valuable asset: its people.
