The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Oluwaseun Faleye, has called for stricter enforcement of labour laws and improved institutional performance to ensure Nigerian workers receive meaningful protection.
Faleye made the call on Monday during the 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, where he stressed that existing legal frameworks must translate into practical safeguards for employees.
“Our laws must work for the worker,” he said, noting that employees increasingly demand fairness, transparency, and predictability in the application of labour regulations.
He warned that weak enforcement of statutory protections has widened the gap between workers’ legal rights and their actual workplace experiences, leaving many vulnerable despite existing legislation.
Faleye highlighted the role of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, established under the Employees’ Compensation Act, which provides support for workers who suffer injury, disease, disability, or death in the course of employment.
“Social protection is not charity. It is a lawful and necessary pillar of national development,” he added.
He further noted that Nigeria’s large workforce, much of which operates within the informal sector, remains outside formal social protection systems, limiting the effectiveness of labour safeguards.
Faleye emphasised that discussions on economic growth must not overlook worker welfare, as employees remain central to productivity across sectors.
He called for stronger institutions capable of consistently enforcing labour laws, delivering timely support, and fostering trust among both workers and employers.
