By Stella Odueme
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, has called for stronger social security protection for Nigerian workers, stressing that the welfare of employees must remain central to the country's economic and political development.
Faleye said social security should be viewed as an investment in human dignity, social stability and economic resilience rather than merely an administrative process.
He made the call on Friday in Lagos while presenting a paper at the annual workshop of the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN), themed, “Workers at the Centre of Nigeria’s Political Transition: Defending Rights, Advancing Welfare and Building Economic Justice.”
In his presentation titled, “Social Security and Workers' Welfare in Nigeria's Political Transition: Closing the Protection Gaps and Building a Sustainable Safety Net,” the NSITF boss emphasised the need for an inclusive protection system capable of supporting workers against circumstances that threaten their livelihoods.
Represented by the Deputy General Manager and Head of Corporate Affairs, Alexerdra Mede, Faleye commended LAWAN for providing a platform for sustained discussions on issues affecting Nigerian workers.
He noted that social security was fundamentally about people and should provide adequate protection against occupational injuries, disabilities and other unforeseen circumstances.
“When we discuss social security, we sometimes become preoccupied with institutions, regulations, contributions and statistics. But at its heart, social security is about people,” he said.
Faleye also highlighted emerging challenges arising from technological advancements, artificial intelligence, automation, remote work and the expanding gig economy, noting that these developments were transforming employment patterns and creating new demands for workers' protection.
He questioned how workers operating through digital platforms and outside conventional employment arrangements could be incorporated into existing social security systems.
According to him, technological progress must not result in economically active workers being excluded from adequate social protection.
He identified improved public awareness, employer compliance, accessible services, reliable data, efficient institutions and sustained stakeholder collaboration as essential to closing existing protection gaps.
The NSITF chief executive described the Employees' Compensation Scheme as a critical mechanism for protecting employees against work-related injuries, disabilities and occupational hazards.
He explained that the scheme represented a social compact involving employers, workers, workplaces and the wider society, adding that its effectiveness depended largely on awareness and employers' compliance with their obligations.
Faleye urged government, organised labour, employers, the media and development partners to strengthen collaboration towards building a sustainable social security framework that would protect Nigerian workers and their families against economic and social risks.
At the event, LAWAN honoured Faleye with the Champion of Workers’ Social Security and Safety Award in recognition of his leadership and contributions to advancing workers' social security and safety in Nigeria.