By Chinedu Echianu
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Oluwaseun Faleye, has disclosed that over 7.6 million employees have so far been enrolled into the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS).
He made the disclosure at the 2026 International Civil Service Conference held in Abuja.
Faleye also announced the enrolment of the Nigeria Police Force into the scheme for the first time in Nigeria’s history, following engagements with the Inspector-General of Police.
According to him, the move is expected to boost morale among officers by ensuring that their families are supported in cases of injury or death in the line of duty.
“We have enrolled over 7.6 million employees into the Scheme. We secured the enrolment of the Nigeria Police Force into the ECS — a historic first — after engagements with the Inspector-General of Police,” he said.
He added that when officers know their families are protected, their confidence and performance will improve, making national security safer.
Speaking on the theme “Reforms, Resilience and Results,” Faleye said public institutions are under increasing pressure to deliver efficient services, restore public trust, and adapt to technological and economic changes.
He said reforms in Nigeria’s public sector have become urgent and unavoidable, noting that institutions must evolve to remain effective and responsive.
Faleye said since assuming office on July 15, 2024, his administration has embarked on reforms to reposition the NSITF and improve service delivery.
He noted that the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, established under the Employees’ Compensation Act 2010, had faced low awareness, uneven compliance, and slow claims processing.
According to him, the Fund responded with governance reforms, anti-corruption initiatives, and digital transformation to improve transparency and efficiency.
He disclosed that NSITF partnered with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, including the deployment of 120 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit liaison officers nationwide.
Faleye also said efforts were made to digitise claims processing and automate workflows to reduce delays in compensation payments.
On expansion, he said NSITF engaged several state governments, including Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Sokoto, and Taraba, to deepen implementation of the scheme.
He revealed that a landmark agreement was signed with Lagos State in April 2026 for full implementation of the ECS for state workers.
Faleye further disclosed that the Fund processed 22,350 compensation claims in 2024 and recorded a 21 per cent increase in claims payout.
He highlighted some payouts, including:
- N90 million to a worker of Seplat Energy
- N76 million to dependants of an employee of Nigerian Breweries
- N31 million in medical support for a worker of Nestlé Nigeria
- N42.5 million to the family of a deceased Depthwize employee
“These are not just numbers — these are families who received justice, dignity and support in their most difficult moments,” he said.
Faleye also said NSITF partnered with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association and the Nigeria Labour Congress on the 2025 Safe Workplace Intervention Project, which audited more than 200 workplaces nationwide.
He stressed that worker protection and social insurance remain critical to governance reforms and national development, especially as the future of work continues to evolve with digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and changing employment patterns.
