The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening social security and employees’ compensation systems through deeper collaboration with the International Social Security Association (ISSA).
Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, Managing Director of the NSITF, Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, said the partnership with ISSA has bolstered Nigeria’s efforts to improve social protection systems and expand access to compensation and insurance services for workers across the country.
Faleye made the remarks following a meeting between Secretary-General of the ISSA, Marcelo Caetano, and members of the NSITF delegation. He was represented at the high-level engagement by Executive Director, Administration, Samaila Abdu.
According to Faleye, the Fund will continue to deepen its relationship with the global social security body and adopt international best practices in social security administration to enhance workers’ welfare and strengthen compensation mechanisms nationwide.
He noted that the collaboration has provided valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and institutional development within Nigeria’s social protection framework.
“NSITF remains focused on expanding social protection coverage and ensuring more inclusive access to compensation and insurance services for workers,” Faleye said.
He added that the Fund would continue to pursue initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness of social protection programmes and extending coverage to a broader segment of the workforce.
The International Social Security Association, regarded as the world’s leading organisation for social security institutions, comprises more than 340 member organisations across 165 countries and promotes excellence in social protection administration.
Speaking during the meeting, Secretary-General of the ISSA, Marcelo Caetano, commended the NSITF for successfully hosting a regional ISSA conference in Abuja and for its contribution to advancing social security development in West Africa.
The conference, which brought together social security institutions from across the region from 22 to 23 April, was themed, “Improving Inclusiveness and Accessibility of Social Security Services Through Effective Communication in West Africa.”
Caetano also praised the management team led by Faleye for its commitment to strengthening social protection mechanisms and expanding access to workers’ compensation and social security services.
“NSITF has demonstrated remarkable leadership in promoting social security development and regional cooperation across West Africa,” Caetano said.
He further commended the Fund’s sustained support for ISSA programmes and initiatives aimed at improving social protection systems across Africa and beyond.
According to him, stronger collaboration among social security institutions is essential to addressing emerging workplace challenges and extending protection to a greater number of workers.
The renewed partnership comes amid increasing global attention to strengthening social safety nets and ensuring that workers are adequately protected against occupational risks, income shocks, and other vulnerabilities in an evolving world of work.
