The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has initiated the disbursement of N172.5 million in compensation to Nigerian workers and families affected by workplace-related injuries and fatalities under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
The Fund’s Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye, made the announcement during the maiden edition of the International Civil Service Conference in Abuja. He used the platform to urge both public and private sector institutions to fully implement the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA), describing it as a critical safety net for the nation’s workforce.
“As of this year, we’ve paid out significant sums to victims across various sectors,” Faleye said. “These payments are not mere gestures; they reflect our duty to safeguard the dignity and security of Nigerian workers.”
Among the recent beneficiaries are a National Assembly staff member who received N25 million following a workplace injury, and the family of a deceased employee from the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, who were presented with a cheque for N18.6 million as a death benefit.
Other pending and completed disbursements include:
- N86 million to an employee of Mobil Producing Nigeria
- N31.1 million to a Nestle Nigeria staff member
- N15.6 million to a Zenith Bank employee
- N15.4 million to a worker at Medplus
- N11.7 million to a Unity Bank Plc staff
- N7.8 million to a worker at Alexander Marius Investment Limited
- N4.9 million to a Polaris Bank employee
Faleye, however, expressed concern over what he described as a “limited embrace” of the compensation scheme at the state and local government levels, noting that many public servants remain excluded from its benefits.
“Imagine the number of lives that could have been supported or saved if the scheme had been fully institutionalised across all levels of government,” he said.
Beyond monetary compensation, the NSITF chief emphasized the Fund’s dual mandate of not just providing relief, but also helping injured workers reintegrate into the workforce through rehabilitation support.
“We’re not just paying benefits. We’re helping people get their lives and careers back on track,” he said. “That’s how we build a resilient and productive workforce.”
Highlighting the Fund’s preventive efforts, Faleye added that NSITF regularly conducts workplace audits and safety awareness programmes aimed at reducing the rate of industrial accidents, occupational illnesses, and deaths.
“This is what institutional resilience looks like — a system that shows up for its workers when life throws them off balance,” he stated.
At the 4th Nigeria Employers Summit hosted by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Faleye reinforced his call for compliance with the ECA, saying that true business sustainability lies in protecting workers.
“While employers face operational challenges, we must remember that the foundation of any enterprise is its people. Their safety and welfare must be non-negotiable,” he said.
He applauded NECA for its ongoing collaboration with the Fund in advocating for employee welfare, and pledged continued engagement with stakeholders to broaden nationwide compliance.
“Let us activate the social safety framework that ensures our civil servants are protected,” Faleye concluded. “When workers feel secure, they are empowered to serve at their best — and that’s what drives national development.”