By Chinedu Echianu
Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barrister Olúwaṣeun Faleye, has inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the International Social Security Services Association (ISSSA) West Africa Technical Seminar 2026.
The inauguration ceremony was held on Wednesday at the NSITF Board Room in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Faleye described the inauguration as a significant milestone in preparations for the seminar, noting that it holds strategic importance not only for the NSITF but also for efforts to strengthen social security systems across West Africa.
He urged members of the committee to approach their assignment with a strong sense of responsibility, stressing that hosting the regional event is both an honour and a major task.
The NSITF Managing Director said the seminar’s theme, “Improving Inclusiveness and Accessibility of Social Security Services through Effective Communication in West Africa,” reflects the pressing realities of the sub-region.
According to him, social security institutions must go beyond policy formulation and administration to ensure their services are well understood, accessible and responsive, especially to vulnerable and underserved populations.
Faleye explained that the seminar is designed to advance this goal by promoting digitalisation, innovative communication strategies and the use of digital and mobile technologies to expand social security coverage. He added that the event would also provide a platform for experience-sharing, peer learning and the exchange of best practices among social security experts and institutions across West Africa.
On the expected outcomes, he expressed confidence that discussions at the seminar would deepen understanding of digital transformation in social security administration, strengthen regional collaboration and produce practical recommendations for extending coverage in the sub-region. He further noted that NSITF and Nigeria stand to benefit from enhanced networking with regional and international partners, as well as the opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to social security development.
While emphasising the importance of the assignment before the LOC, Faleye expressed confidence in the committee’s capacity to deliver, urging members to remain dedicated, committed and united in teamwork.
The ISSSA West Africa Technical Seminar 2026 is scheduled to hold on April 25 in Abuja and is expected to bring together social security experts from across the region and beyond.
