By Chinedu Echianu
Nigeria’s Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has begun a week-long study tour for a delegation from The Gambia’s Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC), aimed at deepening cooperation and sharing best practices in workers’ compensation and social security administration.
Nigeria’s Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has begun a week-long study tour for a delegation from The Gambia’s Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC), aimed at deepening cooperation and sharing best practices in workers’ compensation and social security administration.
The programme, which commenced on Monday at the NSITF Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, brings together the Board of the Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund of the SSHFC to understudy the operations of Nigeria’s Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS).
Declaring the study tour open, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of NSITF, Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, described the visit as a major step in strengthening institutional collaboration between both organisations.
Represented by the Executive Director, Administration, Samaila Abdu, Faleye said the engagement goes beyond a routine exchange, providing an opportunity for both institutions to share experiences, compare operational models and develop innovative approaches to improving social security systems.
He expressed confidence that the knowledge gained during the exercise would support the strategic goals of both organisations while enhancing social protection for workers in Nigeria and The Gambia.
The week-long programme features technical sessions, facility tours and discussions covering policy implementation, claims administration, service delivery and the management of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
NSITF administers Nigeria’s Employees’ Compensation Scheme, which provides compensation for employees who suffer work-related injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities or death, while promoting occupational safety and health standards in workplaces.
Also speaking, Executive Director, Finance and Investment, Olufemi Ayodele Samuel, said the visit would deepen cross-border cooperation in industrial injuries compensation and social security administration.
According to him, both organisations will explore practical strategies for workplace accident prevention, disability and survivors’ benefits, as well as effective management of social protection funds.
Samuel added that the engagement would also foster knowledge exchange on strengthening occupational health and safety standards and lay the groundwork for a long-term institutional partnership.
Executive Director (Operations), Mojisola Alli Macaulay, welcomed the delegation and assured members of a comprehensive tour of NSITF’s operations, describing the Fund as a leading model for social security administration in Africa.
She encouraged the visitors to maximise the learning opportunities provided throughout the programme.
Speaking on behalf of the Gambian delegation, Chairman of the SSHFC Board and Permanent Secretary in The Gambia’s Ministry of Trade and Employment, Lamine Camara, said the team was eager to learn from NSITF’s experience.
“We are here to learn from this engagement. We are motivated and look forward to taking the knowledge and experiences gained here back to The Gambia,” Camara said.
He stressed that sustained collaboration among African social security institutions remains essential to strengthening workers’ welfare and advancing social protection across the continent.
