Faleye stated this in Abuja during the presentation of prosthetic limbs to 10 beneficiaries under the scheme, a statement said on Monday.
Represented by the General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mrs. Nkiru Ogunnike, the NSITF boss said the initiative has continued to bring relief to injured workers through rehabilitation and reintegration support.
According to him, the ECS goes beyond statutory compensation and reflects the Fund’s commitment to restoring confidence and preserving the dignity of workers affected by occupational hazards.
He noted that workplace accidents often leave victims with not only physical injuries but also emotional trauma and uncertainty about the future.
Faleye explained that for many Nigerian workers, a single workplace incident can permanently alter the course of their lives, but added that the intervention of the NSITF through the ECS gives victims another opportunity to rebuild their lives and regain independence.
Highlighting some of the beneficiaries, he cited the cases of Daniel Etim, a staff member of the University of Uyo Printing Press, and Festus Okpara of Tower Aluminium Laos, as examples of the impact of the scheme.
According to him, Daniel lost his arm in May 2024 after it became trapped in an industrial machine during routine work, leading to amputation.
“Through the intervention of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund as administrators of the ECS, Daniel received medical support, with his treatment expenses fully covered under the Scheme,” he said.
Faleye added that beyond paying his medical bills, the Fund also provided Daniel with a prosthetic arm to aid his rehabilitation.
He said the intervention reaffirmed the agency’s commitment not only to compensation but also to restoring dignity, confidence and functionality to injured workers.
Speaking further, the NSITF boss said Daniel’s story reflects the broader mandate of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme as a social protection mechanism designed to ensure that workers who suffer workplace injuries, disabilities, occupational diseases or death are not abandoned in moments of vulnerability.
He also recounted the experience of Festus Okpara, whose workplace accident occurred in 2015 and resulted in the loss of his hand.
Faleye said beyond the physical trauma, Festus endured years of emotional and psychological challenges caused by public reactions to his condition.
According to him, the NSITF later provided Festus with a silicone prosthetic hand, helping him regain confidence and a renewed sense of inclusion and self-worth.
“For beneficiaries like Daniel and Festus, the interventions of the NSITF have become more than institutional obligations; they represent hope, restoration and reassurance that injured workers are not left to navigate tragedy alone,” he stated.
He stressed that the interventions also highlight the often overlooked psychological and emotional impact of workplace injuries.
Faleye maintained that the NSITF continues to play a critical role in implementing the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, which serves as a vital safety net for workers in both the public and private sectors.
One of the beneficiaries, Festus Okpara, expressed appreciation to the Fund for the support.
“I thank NSITF for coming all this way to help. At least with this, I can go out in public and feel free. NSITF has reduced the level of trauma,” he said.
The 10 beneficiaries are among 78 persons recently fitted with artificial limbs under the ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration programme of the NSITF.