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.
