Engages

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) recently gathered stakeholders in Abuja for an event aimed at enhancing its engagement with critical players in the Employee Compensation Scheme (ECS), a reflection of the fund’s commitment to aligning its operations with the evolving demands of the workforce. CHRISTIAN APPOLOS reports.

Organised by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund’s (NSITF) SERVICOM department, the tripartite stakeholders’ forum had the theme, ‘Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement in NSITF’ and brought together captains of industry, the leadership of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), as well as government representatives and direct beneficiaries of the Employee Compensation Scheme (ECS).

The event’s high-profile attendance underscores the importance of the Employee Compensation Scheme (ECS), which is designed to provide safety nets for employees injured or incapacitated in the course of work. The stakeholders’ gathering also featured dependents of deceased enrollees who shared their experiences and benefits derived from the scheme.

In attendance was Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, National Coordinator of SERVICOM, who further highlighted the importance of stakeholder collaboration in delivering excellent public service.

Strategic Priorities 2024-2027: A roadmap to greater engagement

The meeting aligns with the broader vision of the NSITF’s new leadership, whose “Strategic Priorities 2024-2027” plan sets out five key pillars, according to Godson Nwachukwu, the fund’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs. Chief among these is stakeholder engagement, a core focus for the fund moving forward. This vision highlights the importance of governance, transparency and continuous monitoring of operations to ensure efficiency.

In his keynote address, the Managing Director of the NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, reaffirmed the commitment of his management team to strengthening relationships with stakeholders.

Faleye emphasised that fostering constructive engagements between the fund and its stakeholders was critical to achieving the organisation’s mandate. “Our goal is to continue fostering partnerships that are beneficial not only to the fund but also to the workers and employers who depend on our services.

“As part of its engagement efforts, the NSITF has committed to greater transparency in its processes. This is reflected in the ongoing review of its Service Charter, a set of guidelines meant to improve access to benefits for enrollees,” Faleye said.

He further assured stakeholders that the reforms would lead to more seamless access to the fund’s services, particularly for those in the informal sector, which has been historically underserved by the scheme.

He also emphasised that workplace safety and a culture of collaboration between employers and employees are central to ensuring the ECS works efficiently. “We are focusing on creating an environment where employees can question their employers on contributions to the NSITF. It is essential for employees to take their contributions to the fund as seriously as they do their pensions, as these contributions ensure their protection under the Employee Compensation Scheme,” Faleye noted.

The role of stakeholders in expanding the ECS

The forum provided an avenue for other key players to weigh in on the future of the NSITF and the ECS. For instance, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, stressed the need for improved service delivery by the fund.

According to him, the quality of services offered by NSITF directly impacts the wellbeing of Nigerian workers. “Efficient service delivery is non-negotiable in ensuring that the suffering of Nigerian citizens is alleviated,” Ajaero remarked.

Similarly, the Director-General of Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Smart Oyerinde, called for an expansion of the ECS’s coverage to include benefits for older workers and retirees.

Oyerinde noted that as Nigeria’s workforce ages, there is a pressing need to extend the reach of the fund’s compensation mechanisms. “The NSITF must enlarge its scope to cover more Nigerians, including older workers. Additionally, the fund needs to enhance its public awareness campaigns to ensure more people understand their rights and benefits,” Oyerinde said.

The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, echoed Oyerinde’s position. Represented by the President of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Comrade Oluwole Olusoji, the TUC president urged the fund to further broaden its reach. According to Olusoji, more Nigerian workers need to benefit from the ECS, especially those in sectors that have traditionally been left out.

SERVICOM’s call for trust and brand enhancement

Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, the National Coordinator of SERVICOM, addressed the gathering on the role of building trust and enhancing the NSITF’s brand through stronger stakeholder engagement.

Akajemeli suggested that regular communication, updates and feedback mechanisms between the fund and its stakeholders would help in conflict resolution and foster a harmonious relationship.

“Brand enhancement and building trust are critical components of any stakeholder engagement strategy,” Akajemeli said. “NSITF must continue to build strong relationships with its stakeholders through effective communication and two-way feedback.”

The need for employee vigilance

One of the recurring themes at the event was the importance of employee vigilance in ensuring compliance with the ECS. Mr Faleye stressed that employees must take an active role in monitoring their employers’ contributions to the fund.

“We want a system where employees themselves act as checks on their employers, ensuring that proper contributions are made,” Faleye said. “Ultimately, the employees are the ones who benefit from the scheme and they need to be vigilant to ensure they are fully covered.”

This call for vigilance aligns with the NSITF’s broader advocacy campaigns, which aim to prevent employers from underreporting salaries or undercutting the fund. Faleye likened this vigilance to the way employees monitor their pension contributions, urging that ECS contributions be given the same level of importance.

Live testimonials and recognition of employers

One of the highlights of the event was the live testimonials from beneficiaries of the ECS in the Abuja region. These personal accounts underscored the real-world impact of the scheme and provided tangible evidence of its benefits to both employees and their families.

In recognition of their steadfastness in contributing to the ECS, 50 employers and organisations were honoured with awards during the event. The gesture was a testament to the vital role these companies play in ensuring the success of the compensation scheme.

Way forward for NSITF and stakeholders

As the NSITF moves forward with its strategic plan for 2024-2027, the emphasis on strengthening stakeholder engagement appears to be a cornerstone of its approach. The inclusion of the informal sector and the expansion of the fund’s services to cover more workers highlight the organisation’s drive to be more inclusive.

Executive Director of Operations, Honourable Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay, affirmed this direction, noting that continuous dialogue with stakeholders will be essential for the success of the NSITF’s initiatives. She stated: “It is through these kinds of engagements that we can ensure our policies are aligned with the needs of both employers and employees.”

The NSITF’s renewed focus on transparency, governance and engagement shows its determination to remain relevant in a rapidly changing labour market.

As the tripartite stakeholders left Abuja, the consensus was clear: the future of Nigeria’s workforce depends on a strong, well-managed Employee Compensation Scheme and the NSITF is on a mission to deliver just that.

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