Taking employees’ compensation scheme to governors

Since assuming leadership of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) on July 15, 2024, Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye has embarked on a transformative mission to revitalize the agency and enhance the welfare of Nigerian workers. His tenure has been marked by a concerted effort to instill public confidence through deliberate initiatives, chief among them being the aggressive repackaging and promotion of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), particularly within the public sector.

Faleye's proactive approach involves direct engagement with state governors, taking the gospel of the ECS directly to their doorsteps. This strategy has already yielded positive results, with engagements held with governors from at least three geopolitical zones. The objective is to foster deeper institutional collaboration and ensure the robust implementation of the ECS, which Faleye describes not merely as a statutory obligation but as a critical social protection instrument guaranteeing dignity for workers and stability for employers.

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When a worker is injured, disabled, or loses his life in the course of duty, the response of government defines public trust and reinforces confidence in leadership.

During a recent meeting with the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, in Jalingo, Faleye emphasized the importance of structured partnerships with progressive state governments committed to workers' welfare. He highlighted that the response of government to workplace injuries, disabilities, or fatalities directly defines public trust and reinforces confidence in leadership. Expanding ECS coverage, he noted, aligns perfectly with Governor Kefas's welfare-driven agenda.

The NSITF boss stressed the need to move beyond mere dialogue toward measurable outcomes. He proposed practical steps to increase ECS compliance across state ministries, departments, and agencies, intensify sensitization efforts among major employers and contractors in Taraba, and strengthen workplace safety and compensation awareness throughout the state. To ensure accountability, Faleye suggested establishing a joint technical interface between the state government and the NSITF, potentially coordinated by a designated ministry or official.

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If it pleases Your Excellency, we can immediately set up a joint technical interface between your designated te