NSITF advocates digital overhaul as Nigeria’s rising workforce demands stronger systems

​By Moses Akwashiki

​The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barrister Oluwaseun Falaye, has declared that the demand for a more responsive social protection system in Nigeria is no longer optional but an inevitable necessity.
​Speaking on Wednesday at the 2026 International Social Security Association (ISSA) West Africa Technical Seminar in Abuja, Falaye highlighted the urgent need for a strategic operational shift as regional leaders gathered to rethink worker protection.
​He identified Nigeria’s expanding population, youthful workforce, and an evolving labor market—dominated by the informal sector—as the primary pressures making a comprehensive social security overhaul unavoidable.
He said:​“Nigeria’s context makes these conversations particularly urgent.
“With one of the largest informal economies in Africa, the demand for responsive and strong social protection systems is undeniable.”
​Reaffirming the NSITF’s mandate under the Employees’ Compensation Act of 2010, the Managing Director stressed that the Fund’s focus is on real-life impact rather than just policy frameworks.
​“This mandate is not theoretical. It is about real people, real risks, and real consequences for families and communities,” he stated.
​To meet these challenges, Falaye revealed that the NSITF is currently undergoing a deliberate transformation to modernize operations and rebuild public trust, and this he said, includes transitioning from fragmented, paper-based processes to an integrated digital system designed to enhance transparency and service delivery.
​“We are investing in platforms that enable faster claims processing, stronger data management, and better actuarial planning,” he added.
​Despite the push for modernization, the NSITF boss cautioned that digital transformation is a continuous process that requires more than just new software.
He emphasized the need for institutional discipline, skilled personnel, and robust cybersecurity.
​“Digital transformation is not a one-off project. It demands the right culture and sustained commitment,” he said, noting that regional collaborations like the ISSA seminar help institutions avoid costly mistakes.
Secretary-General Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano, Falaye reminded participants that technology alone does not guarantee confidence.
​Addressing the seminar’s theme—improving inclusiveness and accessibility through effective communication—Falaye outlined key benchmarks for evaluating social security performance: reaching workers outside formal structures and ensuring timely and predictable delivery of benefits to maintain trust, as well as
​treating women, persons with disabilities, and informal workers as central to the mandate.
​He urged participants to engage in solution-driven discussions over the two-day event to strengthen governance and improve outcomes for workers and employers across West Africa.