By Chinedu Echianu
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has pledged sustained technical support and deeper collaboration with the Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund (IICF) of the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) of The Gambia to strengthen social protection and workers’ welfare across West Africa.
The assurance was given by the Managing Director and Chief Executive of NSITF, Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, at the closing ceremony of a one-week study tour by the Board of the IICF-SSHFC in Abuja.
Represented by the Executive Director (Administration), Samaila Abdu, Faleye said the partnership between both institutions would continue beyond the study visit through knowledge sharing, technical assistance and exchange of best practices.
“NSITF will continue to support the Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund under the SSHFC by sharing technical knowledge, exchanging experiences and providing guidance wherever we can,” he said.
He described the relationship as “a partnership between brothers” working towards the common goal of strengthening social protection and improving workers’ welfare across the sub-region.
Faleye said the conclusion of the study tour marked the beginning of an even stronger partnership between the two organisations, adding that NSITF remained committed to supporting social security reforms in The Gambia.
He thanked the Gambian delegation for choosing NSITF for the study visit, describing the decision as a demonstration of growing collaboration among social security institutions in West Africa.
According to him, the week-long engagement enabled both organisations to exchange ideas and practical experiences on employment injury compensation, institutional governance, compliance management, claims administration, rehabilitation, research and digital transformation.
He said participants reviewed the evolution of Nigeria’s social security system from the National Provident Fund to the Employees’ Compensation Scheme established under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010.
Faleye noted that discussions also focused on employer registration, contribution assessment, compliance strategies and the use of technology to improve transparency and accountability.
He added that the delegation was introduced to the Employees Compensation Scheme Application (ECSA), which he said has enhanced operational efficiency, improved compliance and strengthened service delivery within the Fund.
The NSITF boss said both institutions also explored issues relating to research, evidence-based policy formulation, actuarial planning and programmes designed to rehabilitate injured workers and facilitate their return to work.
He welcomed an invitation from the Gambian authorities for NSITF officials to visit The Gambia to observe how lessons from the study tour would be implemented, describing the offer as a further demonstration of the growing partnership.
Faleye stressed that effective social security administration requires continuous learning, innovation and collaboration, expressing confidence that both organisations would continue to work together to improve social protection systems in the region.
Responding on behalf of the Gambian delegation, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Employment, Lamine Camara, thanked NSITF for hosting the delegation and expressed optimism that the collaboration would strengthen The Gambia’s social security system.
Camara said the delegation was keen to build on the partnership, particularly in the areas of capacity development, research and institutional reforms.
“We are eager to learn from the NSITF experience. We also want to improve the areas of research where we are behind, and this collaboration will help us improve.
At the same time, our own experience can also benefit Nigeria,” he said.
He reaffirmed the invitation for NSITF to undertake a reciprocal visit to The Gambia as both institutions seek to deepen cooperation in social security administration.
