The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening social security systems, enhancing workplace health and safety, and promoting decent work for Nigerian employees.
This assurance was given during the ongoing 113th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, where NSITF is actively engaging with global labour stakeholders.
Speaking at the conference, the Managing Director of NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, highlighted the Fund’s efforts to improve workplace safety through Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) audits, in alignment with International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.
“That’s why we collaborate with employers to make workplaces safer and deepen discussions around health and safety in the workplace,” he said. “We are at the forefront of conducting OSH audits in relevant organisations and raising awareness.”
Faleye noted that participation in global platforms such as the ILC helps broaden the Fund’s knowledge and capacity in applying cutting-edge standards in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE).
“We come to platforms like this to broaden our knowledge and capacity, so we can take it back home and engage more meaningfully within our ecosystem,” he said.
He emphasised NSITF’s commitment to creating secure and conducive work environments where employees feel protected and injured workers can access timely compensation.
“For us, promoting decent work means expanding efforts within our HSE mandate, especially in relation to employees’ compensation when injuries occur,” Faleye added.
He explained that improving workplace safety directly reduces the incidence of work-related injuries, adding that the Fund remains responsive to its mandate on prompt compensation.
“The synergy between a decent and safe work environment directly impacts injury rates. When HSE components improve, injuries tend to decline. We are committed to fulfilling our mandate and ensuring compensation is paid promptly.”
Faleye also revealed that NSITF is making progress in extending the scheme to the informal sector, which holds vast potential for impact. He described the ILO conference as a valuable opportunity to share ideas, build capacity, and strengthen partnerships with international stakeholders.
