By Stella Odueme
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has assured personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of protection and compensation for injuries, disabilities and occupational diseases sustained in the line of duty under the Employees' Compensation Scheme (ECS).
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, gave the assurance on Wednesday during the sensitisation and onboarding ceremony for NSCDC personnel on the scheme at the Corps' National Headquarters in Abuja.
Faleye said the scheme also provides compensation for the dependants of officers who die in the course of their duties, stressing that personnel who risk their lives to protect the country deserve adequate protection.
"An institution entrusted with protecting the nation must therefore have a dependable system for protecting its own workforce. Those who protect our nation must themselves be protected. That is the principle that brings us together today," he said.
He described the engagement as a significant step towards strengthening the welfare of NSCDC personnel, who are regularly exposed to occupational hazards while protecting critical national assets and infrastructure.
The NSITF boss commended the Commandant General of the Corps for initiating the partnership, noting that the NSCDC registered with the Fund on August 23, 2024, and had demonstrated commitment by making provisions for the scheme in its 2026 budget.
He explained that the Employees' Compensation Scheme, established under the Employees' Compensation Act, 2010, provides medical treatment, hospitalisation, medication and rehabilitation for workers who suffer work-related injuries.
According to him, the scheme also provides income support during temporary incapacity and compensation for permanent partial or total disability.
Faleye added that eligible dependants of deceased workers would receive statutory compensation to cushion the financial impact of losing their breadwinners.
He urged the Corps to establish designated ECS desks at its national, state and area command levels to facilitate injury reporting, guide affected personnel and families through the claims process and maintain effective communication with the NSITF.
He also called for the appointment of a central coordinating officer to oversee the Corps' engagement with the Fund.
Faleye assured that NSITF would provide technical assistance through its Compliance, Claims and Compensation, and Occupational Health and Safety teams to ensure effective implementation of the scheme.
"Our commitment does not end with today's ceremony; we intend to build a responsive and enduring partnership," he said.
Earlier, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, described the onboarding of the Corps' personnel onto the scheme as a strategic step towards strengthening their welfare and protection.
Audi, who was represented by the Deputy Commandant General, Technical Services, DCG Ibrahim Ningi, said the partnership would ensure that officers benefit from the provisions of the Employees' Compensation Act.
He noted that NSCDC personnel perform critical duties, including protecting national infrastructure, safeguarding lives and property, disaster management and emergency response, often under hazardous conditions.
He said the welfare and safety of personnel must remain a priority, adding that the effectiveness of a security organisation depends not only on its operational capacity but also on how well it protects and supports its workforce.
The Commandant General described the ECS as an important social protection mechanism that promotes the dignity and security of workers and their families.
He said the sensitisation programme was designed to equip the Corps' Insurance Desk Officers with the knowledge required to handle registration, onboarding, claims processing, reporting obligations and other operational requirements.
Audi urged participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the training and serve as resource persons in their respective commands and formations.
He also directed relevant officers to maintain accurate personnel records, ensure timely submission of required information and establish effective communication channels with NSITF.
The NSCDC chief expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen the Corps' personnel welfare system and promote a more motivated, secure and productive workforce.