Minister hails NSITF for reform strides, backs expansion of social safety net

Muhammad Dingyadi, minister of labour and employment, has commended the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) for what he described as a significant turnaround in the agency’s operations within one year.

Speaking on Monday at the retreat for the national assembly joint committees on labour, employment and productivity in Lagos, Dingyadi said the reforms under the current management have reinvigorated NSITF’s core mandate.

“NSITF is a key agency under the Ministry of Labour and Employment and has witnessed a positive turnaround since the management team came on board last year,” he said.

“Aside their vigorous drive for expansion of enrollment into the Employee Compensation Scheme, the MD has breathed a new life into promotion of occupational safety and health and driven the prompt payment of claims.”

Dingyadi also applauded the Fund’s decision to host the retreat, describing it as timely and strategic.

“The Nigerian social security system requires strategic reforms to expand coverage, improve benefits and ensure the sustainability of our social insurance programmes,” he said.

The two-day retreat, themed ‘Building a Sustainable Future: Strengthening Social Security and Enhancing Labour Productivity in Nigeria’, drew participants from the legislature, organised labour, and employers’ associations.

In his welcome address, Olúwaṣeun Faleye, managing director of NSITF, said the gathering reflected the Fund’s commitment to deeper collaboration with lawmakers to advance social protection in Nigeria.

He said the retreat would strengthen “understanding of the social welfare scheme in general, and the operationality of the Employee Compensation Scheme in particular.”

Highlighting the wider policy context, Faleye said: “Our nation stands at a crossroads where the challenges of economic growth, youth employment, workplace safety and social protection intersect.”

He maintained that workers remain the foundation of national development and that their welfare must be prioritised in the country’s economic and legislative agenda.

Calling for deeper reflection and joint action, he told participants, “The next two days would provide us all opportunity to interrogate our policy, refine our strategies and recommit ourselves to delivering a scheme that is effective, transparent and trusted.”

Faleye also emphasised the importance of legislative support in strengthening the Fund’s operations.

“More needs to be done on enforcement and awareness especially at the subnational levels,” he said.

“Legislation would help mainstream social safety net for a resilient national economy and enhanced workers’ welfare.”

He urged the retreat participants — including representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) — to view the session as an “open invitation to reimagine how governance, oversight and operational leadership can reinforce the values of safety, justice, inclusion and impact.”