By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Oluwaseun Faleye, has called for stronger inter-agency collaboration to improve workers’ welfare, strengthen social security and enhance national productivity.
Faleye made the call on Thursday in Abuja in a goodwill message at the Technical Retreat on Presidential Priority, Ministerial Deliverables and Performance Management System (PMS), organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
He commended the Ministry for providing a platform for dialogue, coordination and knowledge-sharing among government institutions, stressing that effective public service delivery depends not only on individual agencies’ performance but also on their ability to work together.
“I commend the Ministry for providing this platform for dialogue, coordination and the exchange of ideas. Such engagements are important because the effectiveness of public service delivery depends not only on the performance of individual institutions, but also on how well we work together,” he said.
Faleye, who was represented at the retreat by his Technical Assistant, Dayo Aloa, said the Ministry and NSITF share a common responsibility to deliver public value, strengthen institutions and improve the welfare and security of Nigerians.
Speaking on the Fund’s mandate, he explained that NSITF administers the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), established under the Employees’ Compensation Act 2010, to provide compensation and support for employees and their dependants in cases of work-related injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities and death.
“At the heart of this mandate is a simple but important principle: no worker or family should be left without support when a qualifying workplace incident disrupts their livelihood and future,” he said.
The NSITF chief executive emphasised that workers’ welfare is closely linked to national productivity, industrial harmony and sustainable economic development, noting that employees who feel protected are better positioned to contribute meaningfully to their organisations.
He added that the Fund’s responsibilities extend beyond processing claims and paying compensation to include sustained engagement with employers and workers, increased awareness of the Scheme, improved compliance with statutory obligations and the promotion of workplace health and safety.
Faleye stressed the need to make the Employees’ Compensation Scheme more accessible, responsive, transparent and effective for workers entitled to its protection.
He further observed that no single government agency could independently address all the challenges associated with workers’ welfare, employment protection, workplace safety and social security.
According to him, stronger institutional partnerships would help reduce duplication of efforts, promote knowledge-sharing and ensure more coordinated responses to the challenges confronting Nigerian workers and employers.
“I therefore see this meeting as an opportunity to deepen our working relationships, identify practical areas of collaboration and strengthen the alignment between our respective programmes and priorities,” he said.
Looking ahead to 2027, Faleye reaffirmed NSITF’s commitment to strengthening the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, improving service delivery, promoting employer compliance and advancing workplace safety.
He urged participating agencies to focus on measurable outcomes rather than activities alone, noting that the success of public institutions should be determined by the tangible improvements they deliver to Nigerians.
“As we deliberate on our institutional responsibilities and targets, we should remain mindful that the ultimate measure of our success is not merely the activities we undertake, but the tangible improvements our work delivers to the people we serve,” he said.
Faleye thanked the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and other participating agencies for their contributions to public service delivery, expressing hope that the retreat would produce practical outcomes towards building a more productive and secure Nigeria.
