By Chinedu Echianu
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and South Africa’s Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) have commenced discussions on a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening social protection systems, workers’ compensation administration, and occupational safety across Africa.
Speaking on Tuesday while hosting a high-level delegation from RMA led by its Group Chief Executive Officer, Bilal Adam, at the Fund’s headquarters in Abuja, NSITF Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, described the engagement as the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship between two of Africa’s leading social insurance institutions.
Faleye said the collaboration would promote the exchange of knowledge, innovation and best practices in workers’ compensation and social security administration, ultimately strengthening social protection systems across the continent.
“Your visit marks the beginning of what we hope will evolve into a mutually beneficial and enduring relationship between our two organisations. It highlights our shared commitment to advancing workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, and social security administration on the African continent,” he said.
The NSITF boss praised RMA’s long-standing history and contribution to social insurance, noting that the South African institution, established in 1894, has grown from a compensation scheme for the mining sector into one of Africa’s foremost social insurers.
According to him, RMA’s emphasis on prevention, rehabilitation, care and shared value creation offers valuable lessons for institutions responsible for workers’ welfare across the continent.
Faleye stressed that Nigeria and South Africa, as Africa’s largest economies, have a responsibility to provide leadership in strengthening social protection frameworks and championing best practices for workers’ welfare.
“At NSITF, we recognise that the future of social protection lies in collaboration, innovation and the exchange of experiences. We therefore see this visit not merely as a courtesy call but as the beginning of a strategic partnership capable of transforming workers’ compensation and occupational injury insurance administration in our respective jurisdictions,” he said.
He identified key areas for collaboration to include digital transformation, claims administration, occupational health and safety, rehabilitation and return-to-work programmes, capacity building, research and policy development.
Faleye also reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to strengthening the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), describing it as a critical social protection mechanism that guarantees compensation, rehabilitation and support for workers who suffer workplace injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities or death in the course of employment.
He noted that the changing nature of work and emerging occupational risks require social insurance institutions to continuously improve their systems and adopt innovative approaches that prioritise workers’ welfare.
“The Employees’ Compensation Scheme remains one of the most important social security interventions in Nigeria, providing medical care, rehabilitation services, compensation benefits and support to employees and their dependants in cases of work-related injury, disability or death,” he said.
The NSITF Managing Director explained that the Fund is focused on enhancing the implementation of the scheme through improved digital processes, efficient claims management, occupational safety initiatives, rehabilitation programmes, return-to-work strategies, capacity development and policy reforms.
“These areas are essential to building a modern and responsive compensation system that protects workers while supporting employers and contributing to national productivity,” he stated.
Faleye further noted that the ECS provides employers with a structured and sustainable framework for managing workplace liabilities while ensuring injured workers receive adequate compensation and support.
He expressed confidence that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) currently being drafted would be ratified and signed by the NSITF Management Board during the visit, paving the way for deeper cooperation between both organisations.
“Together, let us continue to build stronger institutions, safer workplaces and a more inclusive and resilient social protection system for the benefit of workers across Africa,” he said.
As part of the visit, officials of both organisations are expected to participate in a series of technical sessions to exchange experiences and explore opportunities for long-term collaboration in advancing workers’ welfare and social insurance administration across the continent.
