By Michael Oche
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has enrolled over 7.6 million employees into the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS), Managing Director of the Fund, Barrister Oluwaseun Falaye has said.
In the same vein, the Fund has recorded a historic first with the enrollment of the Nigeria Police Force into the scheme.
Falaye made this disclosure on Wednesday at the 2026 International Civil Service Conference in Abuja.
He said, “We have enrolled over 7.6 million employees into the Scheme. We secured the enrolment of the Nigeria Police Force into the ECS — a historic first — after engagements with the Inspector-General of Police.”
“When our officers know that their families will be protected should they sustain injury or lose their lives in the line of duty, their confidence and gallantry will increase, and our national security will be safer for us all”, he added.
Speaking on the theme of the conference “Reforms, Resilience and Results,” the MD said “This theme is not merely aspirational. It is a call to action. Across the globe, public institutions are under unprecedented pressure to deliver efficient services, restore public confidence, adapt to rapid technological and economic disruption, and ensure that governance remains people-centred and sustainable.”
“For us in Nigeria, the conversation around reform is no longer optional — it is urgent. The future of governance and national development depends on the ability of our institutions to evolve, innovate, and respond effectively to the needs of our citizens.
“And I can say with confidence today that at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, we have chosen to lead by example”, he stated.
Faleye maintained that “Reform is the foundation of institutional progress. Institutions that resist change eventually become ineffective and disconnected from the people they are meant to serve. But true reform is not merely structural — it is cultural. It demands a shift in mindset from bureaucracy to responsiveness, from routine administration to strategic impact, from excuses to execution”.
Giving an insight into his stewardship, the MD revealed that “When I assumed office as Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund on July 15, 2024, I inherited an institution with enormous potential but significant operational challenges.
“The Employees’ Compensation Scheme — a landmark social protection instrument established under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010 — was not reaching its full potential. The compliance was uneven. Claims processing was slow. Public awareness was low. And the confidence of stakeholders was fragile.
“We chose not to complain about these challenges. We chose to confront them head-on through deliberate, bold, and measurable reforms. Let me share the evidence.
“First, on governance and institutional integrity, we partnered with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms within the Fund.
“We empowered our Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit and designated 120 staff as ACTU liaison officers across all our offices nationwide. We initiated a Memorandum of Understanding with the ICPC to formalise our collaboration.
“This is not window dressing — it is a clear signal that the new NSITF operates on the non-negotiable principles of accountability and transparency.
“Second, on digital transformation, we are moving away from fragmented, paper-based systems towards integrated digital platforms that enhance transparency, speed, and public confidence”.
Faleye disclosed that “We are investing in automated workflows, real-time tracking of claims, and standardised processing timelines. Our goal is simple: no Nigerian worker or their family should have to endure unnecessary delays when they are entitled to compensation under the law.
“Third, on expanding coverage and compliance, we launched an aggressive campaign to take the Employees’ Compensation Scheme to every corner of this nation”, he added.
