By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical support and strengthening institutional collaboration with the Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund (IICF) of The Gambia as both organisations seek to deepen social protection and improve workers’ welfare across West Africa.
Managing Director and Chief Executive of NSITF, Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, made the commitment at the closing ceremony of a one-week study tour by the Board of the Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund (IICF), under The Gambia’s Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC), held in Abuja.
Represented by the Executive Director (Administration), Barr. Samaila Abdu, Faleye said the relationship between both institutions would extend beyond the study visit, describing it as a strategic partnership aimed at advancing social security administration in the sub-region.
He assured the Gambian delegation that NSITF would continue to share technical expertise, exchange experiences and provide professional guidance to support the development of The Gambia’s employment injury compensation system.
According to him, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment by both countries to strengthen social protection frameworks and improve the welfare of workers across West Africa.
“The relationship does not end with today’s closing ceremony. Rather, it marks the beginning of an even stronger partnership between our two institutions,” he said.
Faleye expressed appreciation to the Gambian delegation for selecting NSITF as the destination for the study tour, describing the decision as a vote of confidence in the Fund and a reflection of growing cooperation among social security institutions in the region.
He noted that throughout the week, both organisations engaged in extensive knowledge-sharing sessions covering the evolution of Nigeria’s social security system, institutional governance, employer registration, compliance management, contribution assessment, claims administration, rehabilitation programmes and digital transformation.
The NSITF boss said discussions also focused on research, evidence-based policy development, actuarial planning and the deployment of technology to improve service delivery, highlighting the Employees’ Compensation Scheme Application (ECSA) as a major innovation enhancing efficiency and transparency within the Fund.
He added that the engagement reinforced the need for continuous learning, innovation and collaboration in building effective and sustainable social security systems.
Faleye also welcomed the invitation extended by the Gambian authorities for NSITF to undertake a reciprocal visit to The Gambia to observe how lessons from the Abuja study tour would be implemented within their institution.
He maintained that while NSITF continues to strengthen its own operations, it remains committed to sharing best practices and supporting sister institutions across the region.
Responding on behalf of the Gambian delegation, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Employment, Lamine Camara, expressed gratitude to the NSITF for hosting the delegation and described the study visit as highly beneficial.
Camara said The Gambia was keen to deepen cooperation with NSITF, particularly in capacity building, research and institutional development, noting that the knowledge gained during the visit would contribute significantly to improving the country’s social security administration.
He also reiterated The Gambia’s invitation to NSITF to visit the country as both institutions work towards expanding cooperation and promoting stronger social protection systems for workers across the West African sub-region.
