By Chinedu Echianu
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) says it now covers more than 7.8 million workers under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, while average claims processing time has dropped from 14 to 10 days.
NSITF Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oluwaseun Faleye, disclosed this on Thursday at the 2026 National Pre-Retirement Summit in Abuja.
Faleye said the progress reflects efforts to make compensation more accessible to workers who suffer occupational injuries, illnesses, disabilities or death.
Speaking during a policy dialogue titled “Between Duty and Delivery,” he said retirement security should be built throughout a worker’s career rather than addressed only when employment ends.
According to him, pensions and personal savings are important but cannot fully protect workers against risks arising from their jobs.
He said the Employees’ Compensation Scheme provides compensation, medical care, rehabilitation, return-to-work support and benefits for survivors and dependants of affected workers.
Faleye said NSITF’s coverage had increased from over 7.6 million workers in July to more than 7.8 million, with the Fund working with government institutions, regulators, employers and informal-sector groups to expand participation.
He also disclosed that compensation payments had commenced for Treasury-funded Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, with the first five beneficiaries receiving payment on August 4, 2026.
Faleye, however, stressed that registration alone does not guarantee protection, saying effective coverage requires regular contributions, accurate worker records, accessible claims channels and prompt payment of benefits.
He said NSITF was also using workplace inspections, accident investigations and occupational safety campaigns to prevent workplace incidents, while healthcare and rehabilitation services help affected workers recover and maintain their earning capacity.
