The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has disbursed over N1.1 billion in compensation to employees and families affected by workplace accidents, injuries, and occupational diseases, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening social protection across Nigeria’s workforce.

The disbursements, made under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), include lump-sum payments as well as ongoing monthly benefits for eligible beneficiaries.

Speaking at the Lagos International Trade Fair on Wednesday, NSITF Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye, represented by the General Manager of Claims and Compensation, Mrs. Nkiru Ede Ogunnaike, said the Fund remains dedicated to providing meaningful support to workers.

“Support is not passive. It is active, deliberate, and deeply human,” she said, describing the Fund’s efforts as a reflection of its commitment to “Strength in Support.”

Major Compensation Cases

Ogunnaike highlighted several significant payments, including:

• Over N42 million to the family of a Depthwize Oil & Gas employee who died in a boat accident, with monthly benefits exceeding N2 million to continue until the youngest child turns 21.
• Tens of millions of naira paid to the families of employees of Mobil Producing Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc, with monthly benefits sustained until the youngest beneficiaries reach adulthood.
• N484 million disbursed to 39 employees of the Nigeria Customs Service.
• Additional payments to employees of Shell Exploration and Production, Zenith Bank, Unity Bank, Medplus, Nestlé Nigeria, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, and Indigo Drilling, among others.

She explained that the ECS protects workers against injuries, diseases, disability, or death arising during the course of employment, supported through a tripartite structure involving employers, employees, and government oversight.

“Benefits compensation is not charity; it is justice. It is empowerment. It is nation-building,” she stressed, urging greater accountability and compliance among employers.

LCCI Commends NSITF’s Impact

President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Gabriel Idahosa, praised NSITF’s expanding role in Nigeria’s business ecosystem, noting that its disbursement of N6.6 billion to more than 103,000 beneficiaries has helped improve productivity and workplace stability.

NSITF’s coverage now includes over 183,000 employers and 7.6 million employees, a sign of its growing presence in the formal sector.

Idahosa said efforts are also being intensified to onboard the informal sector, citing recent outreach programmes in Anambra State targeting artisans, traders, transport workers, and small-scale entrepreneurs.

“Social protection must extend beyond offices; it must reach every worker contributing to Nigeria’s productive strength,” he said.

He described the Lagos International Trade Fair as a convergence point for enterprise, skills, and trade, underscoring the role of workplace safety and social insurance in economic development.

Idahosa added that the NSITF aims to enroll over one million new subscribers annually as part of its expansion strategy, calling on business leaders and policymakers to prioritize workforce welfare.

“When workers are secure, value creation accelerates, investments deepen, and trade prospers,” he said.