Employees' Compensation Act: Stakeholders Low Compliance of the Informal Sector.

Stakeholders in the labour sector converged on the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies' main auditorium in Ilorin, Kwara State at a one-day workers' education workshop, Wednesday, to deliberate on the provisions of the Employees' Compensation Act 2010 with a view to highlighting key responsibilities and benefits to the Nigerian workers.

The event with the theme of  "Understanding Employees Compensation Act 2010: Responsibilities and Benefits" was packaged by the Institute in collaboration with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), for workers in the North-Central geopolitical zone.

According to a communique emanating from the workshop,  stakeholders at the workshop which included employers of labour, labour and trade unions leaders and members, too government functionaries and other stakeholders, praised the ECA 2010 as "more than a law, but a promise of dignity" for Nigerian workers.

Furthermore, the communique stated that stakeholders lauded the ECA 2010 for guaranteeing fair and adequate compensation for employees and dependents and for abolishing the disputes usually associated with compensations claims over negligence clause.

Moreover, stakeholders applauded the policy of making compliance with the Act a prerequisite for doing business with the Federal Government.

However, the unorganized nature of workers in the informal sector leading to little or non compliance and the consequent lack of social protection coverage for workers in the sector worried the gathering.  

Other hindrances highlighted are inadequate sensitization and awareness, weak institutions, and insufficient entrenchment of social protection deliverables, generally.

To mitigate these problems and ensure global coverage of the Employees' Compensation Scheme, the communique recommended digitalization, sustained inter-agency collaborations, Strengthening of institutions in the sector, and more sensitization and awareness drive among others.

The ECA 2010 established the Employees Compensation Scheme, ECS operated by the NSITF. It makes provision for compensation, reorientation, rehabilitation and support for workers and dependents of workers who suffer work-related injuries, diseases, disabilities, and deaths.

The Fund has recorded enviable success since the coming in board of the Barrister Oluwaseun Mayomi Faleye-led executive management last year. 

The workshop further served to bring the issue of social protection for Nigerian workers to the front burners of labour discussion.

NSITF Empowers Injured Beneficiaries

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has rehabilitated and empowered fifty seven beneficiaries of its Employees' Compensation Scheme (ECS) with start-up kits and work tools.

This is as the Fund's Managing Director Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye stated that NSITF will continue to be alive to  its mandate of improved welfare for workers in the country.

The NSITF MD, who spoke through General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mrs Nkiru Ede-Ogunnaike Esq, while presenting start-up kits and work tools to three beneficiaries at the Fund's Abuja corporate headquarters, explained that "vocational rehabilitation which enscopes reorientation, vocational training and empowerment of disabled workers is a core statutory mandate of NSITF as enshrined in the Employees Compensation Act (2010)."  

Some beneficiaries, Philip Anjor Terwase, Daniel Onah Imale and Nanbur Ezekiel who were trained in furniture making, auto diagnosis and POS operation respectively, expressed their gratitude for being given a new lease of life and means of earning their livelihoods without being a burden to the society.

NSITF operates the ECS as provided for in the ECA. Under the Scheme, employers of labour pay one percent of employees salaries as premium while the Fund provides adequate and just compensation, benefits, rehabilitation and support in times of work-related injuries, disabilities, diseases, and deaths.

Good Governance Team Lauds Nigeria's Delisting from FATF's Grey List, Warns Against Complacency.

Tunde Salman Jimoh, Team Lead and Convener, Good Governance Team, (GGT) Nigeria 

Good Governance Team (GGT) Nigeria, a civil society platform dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability and good governance has congratulated the country on its recent delisting from the Financial Action Task Force's, (FATF) grey list. 

A press statement signed by the Convener of the group, Tunde Salman Jimoh and made available to Nigeria Point Blank in Abuja on Tuesday read, "We  extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Federal Republic of Nigeria on its successful removal from the Financial Action Task Force's grey list." 

The statement attributed the achievement to the "country's determination to strengthen it's financial system, restore international confidence, and uphold the values of transparency and accountability."  The Team further attributed the success to collective national efforts of the government, the anti-corruption the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC); the National Financial Intelligence Unit, (NFIU); and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, (ICPC), the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) joined with advocacy efforts by anti-corruption civil society organisations.

The statement explored the significance and benefits of the development saying it  "presents significant economic and diplomatic opportunities for Nigeria. It signals to the global investment community that the nation's financial system is credible, stable, and aligned international best practices. This positive perception is expected to boost investors' confidence, attract foreign direct investment, and facilitate smoother cross-border transactions."

The statement listed improved access to international credit, trade financing and investment across regional and global markets as international lenders tend to view Nigeria as a low-risk economy as gains from the delisting.

"Furthermore, the decision strengthens Nigeria's standing in the international financial system. It enhances the country's reputation as a reform-driven economy and a responsible global actor committed to the rule of law and accountability." The Team stated.

Domiciled in the secretariat of the Organisations for Economic Co-operation and Development, in Paris, France, the Financial Action Task Force, was birthed in 1989 by the G7 nations to check global financial crimes of money laundry, terrorism financing, and arms proliferation financing. 

The FATF has a black list for countries with serious deficiencies and non-cooperation countries. It has also a grey list for countries under increased surveillance for some lapses from which Nigeria was recently delisted in a move acknowledging success of recent domestic efforts at curbing illicit financial flows.

The Good Governance Team, however sounded a note of caution, warning against complacency and advocating sustained efforts to consolidate on the achievement. 

To this end, the group recommended the Federal Government should give more support to anti-corruption agencies to enable them deliver on their mandates. It urged the government to work closely with relevant financial institutions, professional bodies, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

"This achievement must not lead to complacency. Sustaining the gains from the FATF delisting requires continued political will, institutional discipline, and policy coherence. Nigeria must deepen Reforms that promotes transparency in beneficial ownership disclosures, ensure effective prosecution of financial crimes, and maintain inter-agency co-operation in monitoring high risk sectors. Strengthening capacity across financial regulators, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary will be essential to prevent future lapses." The Team proffered.

NSITF Inaugurate Strategic Inter-Agency Coordination Committee The Nigeria

Executive Director Administration, Barrister Samaila Abdul inaugurating the committee.

Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has set up a Strategic Inter-Agency Coordination Committee in a bid to harness the gains of its ongoing Stakeholders' consultations and engagements to better reposition the Fund. 

Inaugurating the Committee on behalf of the Managing Director and Chief Executive, Barrister Oluwaseun Mayomi Faleye on Friday at the Fund's corporate headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Director Administration, Barrister Samaila Abdu said the "core mandate of the committee is to coordinate and advance the MD/CE's transformative agenda through structured follow-ups on Stakeholders' visits and engagements." 

Barrister Abdul (left) handing over the document establishing the Committee to Mr Abdul-Lateef Musa, Committee Chairman.

The Executive Director explained that the inter-agency' visits and Stakeholders engagements were integral to the overall initiatives of the management to promote the Employees' Compensation Scheme, expand the Fund's reach as well as strengthen stakeholders collaboration. 

Members of the Committee at the inauguration.

Barrister Abdu who designated the committee as a standing committee, expressed optimism that it would be pivotal in actualizing "the bold and visionary goals set by the MD/CE upon his assumption of office." Barrister Abdu stated that the members of the committee were selected "based on their outstanding reputation, professional expertise, dedication to duty and high moral standards." He expressed confidence in their ability to succeed in the assignment. 

The Committee, which is chaired by Mr Abdul-lateef Musa, General Manager Compliance, has other eight members namely, the Technical Adviser to the MD/CE, Dr. Dayo Alao, Frances Nwachukwu, Olakunle Olasaru, Dr Augusta Ehigalua, Dr. Emmanuel Ulayi, Dorothy Igbole, Blessing Ogechi and Baba Hussain Bala. 

The committee's term of reference as spelt out by the Executive Director are, documentation of outcomes and decisions from all inter-agency engagements; development of action plans with timelines and responsibilities: liaising with partner organizations to sustain momentum and track progress; monitoring implementation and evaluation of challenges to Executive Management; provision of periodic progress reports to the MD/CE; and evaluation of the impact of engagements and recommendation of improvements. 

Speaking for the committee, the Chairman, Abdul -Lateef Musa appreciated the Fund's management for giving the team the opportunity to serve and contribute it's quite to the growth of NSITF. He assured management that that the "team will not disappoint as the members were carefully selected."

Employees' Compensation Scheme: NSITF takes sensitisation to Nnewi

MD/CE NSITF, Barrister Olúwaṣeun Faleye (middle), with Honourable Peter Uzokwe and Honourable Peter Aniekwe 

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, (NSITF), has taken the sensitization campaign for enrollment of workers in the informal sector of the Nigerian economy on the Employees' Compensation Scheme (ECS) to industrial city of Nnewi in Anambra State.

The campaign, led by the Fund's Managing Director and Chief Executive, Barrister Olúwaṣeun Mayomi Faleye, took off on Thursday, with a sensitization workshop for stakeholders in the informal sector. 

Barrister Faleye stressing a point

Present at the event were the representative of Governor Charles Soludo, the member representing Nnewi South/Nnewi North/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Honourable Peter Uzokwe,  member representing Anambra East/West Federal Constituency, Honourable Peter Aniekwe, leaders of various trade associations and other stakeholders.

Speaking to the Workshop theme of Extending the Employees' Compensation Scheme to the Informal Economy, in his keynote address, the Managing Director of NSITF highlighted the significance of the informal sector economy which he said employed about 80% of national workforce.

"Across Nigeria, nearly 80% of our workforce is engaged in the informal sector, which contributes a substantial amount to our national Productivity." He stated.

The NSITF boss, however, lamented that countless number of these workers, traders, and artisans were not covered by the safety net. "If a trader gets injured or an Okada rider suffers an accidents who supports them? For too long the answer has been no one" 

Barrister Faleye proceeded to explain that the ECS provided protection, support, and compensation for workers and their dependants in situation of work-related injuries, diseases, disabilities, and deaths. 

"The aim of the campaign is to ensure no worker is left behind in the drive to secure the future of Nigerian workers and their families. Social protection shouldn't be for office workers alone. It is for all workers " He urged participants to enroll and help disseminate the message.

In his Goodwill message, Honourable Peter Uzokwe called for better funding for NSITF to "withstand the pressure of what the Fund is doing for Nigerians." He enjoined the participants to embrace the ECS.

Also speaking at the event, Honourable Aniekwe representing Anambra East/West Federal Constituency commended the Managing Director for his commitment to repositioning the Fund as he urged his constituents to avail themselves of the numerous benefits of the ECS.

Other speakers at the workshop, including The Executive Director Operation of the Fund, Rt. Honourable Mojisolaoluwa Alli- Macaulay who was represented by the General Manager, HSE Department, Regional Manager for NSITF Enugu, Dr. Emeka Offor, the General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mrs Nkiru Ogunnaiki, and the General Manager Informal Economy, Mrs Chikamadu Onyewuchi all stressed the importance of the informal economy to the overall national economy and the need to ensure universal social protection coverage .

AI in the Workplace: Faleye Advocates Reinventing Social Protection.

Barrister Faleye (Second from right) with executives of Labour Writers Association of Nigeria 

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, (NSITF), Barrister Olúwaṣeun Mayomi Faleye has advocated a rejig of social protection for Nigerian workers in the face of AI-induced disruption in workplace to accommodate new risks. Barrister Faleye made the call in his presentation titled, _Social Security and Protection for Nigerian Workers Amid AI Disruption_ at the 2025 Labour Writers Association of Nigeria  Workshop in Ibadan Friday.

The Managing Director said due to technological innovations such AI, "work-related risks are expanding. They are no longer only injuries sustained in factory floors, they now include technological displacement, income instability, and psychological stress caused by rapid workplace changes."

To mitigate these risks, Barrister Faleye proffered that, "Social Protection must evolve. We must rethink coverage, redefine risk, and reimagine support. In the era of AI, social security must not only compensate, it must empower." He therefore called for intentional policies and sustained investment in social security.

Acknowledging the innovation and efficiency that AI represents in the workplace, Barrister Faleye was nonetheless, worried about the attendant displacement of workers. He said, "AI promised efficiency and productivity, but it also threatens traditional jobs from factory floors to administrative offices." He posited that the question should be protection of displaced workers.

Barrister Faleye identified Nigeria's peculiar challenges to full social protection as low coverage exacerbated by a large informal sector constituting over 80% of the economic sector yet outside of the safety net and limited awareness of the benefits and rights concerning the Employees' Compensation Scheme operated by the NSITF.

However, Barrister Faleye was of the opinion that AI itself could play positive role in achieving global social protection coverage in Nigeria. "AI itself offers tools to make social protection more efficient. From digital identity systems that verify workers, to predictive analytics that help detect fraud or anticipate workplace risks before they happen." He explained.

The NSITF's Managing Director went on to highlight priority areas in achieving desired results as expansion of social security and protection, investing in digital literacy and reskilling for workers, leveraging AI for social security delivery,  collaboration among government, labour, and employers for sustained dialogue, and making the Nigerian workers' welfare the centre of all innovation.

The Managing Director urged journalists to help disseminate information on the issue. Concluding his presentation, Barrister Faleye allays fear. He said with the right policy changes, preparations, adaptation, and adequate protection, the future would be bright and no Nigerian workers would be left behind.

The workshop is organised annually by LAWAN for its members. Theme for this year's workshop was, Future of Works in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: A Wake-up Call for Stakeholders. The event which held at Golden Tulip Hotel, Jericho, Ibadan had leaders of both Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, employers of labour and other stakeholders in attendance.

Afriland Towers Fire: NSITF pays condolences visit on employers and dependents of victims, Promises Prompt Payment of Claims

The management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, (NSITF),  has promised to fastrack payments of claims and benefits due to the injured as well as families and dependants of victims of the Afriland Towers disaster.

"The NSITF was established to provide social security coverage to employees. We stand with you and the affected families at this difficult times, and we assure you that in line with our mandate, all benefits due to the dependants of the deceased workers will be promptly and duly processed." 

The Fund's management promised at a condolence visit on the management of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS) at its Ikoyi, Lagos office and that of United Capital PLC and dependants of the deceased victims.

The NSITF's management team, led by the General Manager Compliance, Mr. Abdullateef Musa,  who stood in for the Managing Director and Chief Executive, Barrister Olúwaṣeun Faleye,  expressed profound condolences to FIRS and the families of the victims. He said the Fund recognised "the depth of this loss, not only to your organisation, but to the bereaved families, colleagues, and the wider community of workers."

Mr. Abdullateef Musa prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and strength for the families, friends and colleagues. Acknowledging the permanency of the loss of lives, the GM affirmed the Fund's resolve to "support and stand by the families left behind."

Responding, Mr Ugwuoke Innocent, an Assistant Director with FIRS, thanked NSITF's management for identifying with the Service and the families of the victims. He further commended the prompt response of the Fund and the Employees' Compensation Scheme, (ECS), which ensures enrolled workers and their dependants are not left high and dry in times of emergencies. 

Mr. Ugwuoke seized the occasion to advocate for further sensitization to acquaint employers and employees of benefits of enrolling in the Scheme.

The Afriland Towers Fire incident of 16th September, 2025 claimed ten lives aside several injured. Four of the dead were employees of the FIRS while six worked with United Capital PLC. 

At the meeting  with the management of United Capital PLC and dependants of the deceased employees of the company,  the company's Director of Human Resources, Oluseye Komolafe, lauded the Scheme's packages and the Fund for efficiency and effective quality service delivery.

Other management staff of the NSITF in the team were, Mr. Tony Eke, General Manager Health, Safety and Environment, (HSE), and Mrs. Nkiru Ede-Ogunnaike, Esq. mni. General Manager Claims.

The fire disaster and the number of victims brings up the need for review of and compliance with existing building safety standards and compliance with the Employees' Compensation Act.