The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) is hosting a delegation from The Gambia on a study tour of its Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS).
The tour, which formally opened on Monday, will last for one week for the delegation of the Board of the Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund of the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation, SSHFC, of The Gambia.
Speaking when he received the delegation in his office in Abuja, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, said the visit was aimed at undertaking a comprehensive study of the operations and best practices of Nigeria’s Employees’ Compensation Scheme and strengthening institutional frameworks between the two organisations.
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“This engagement is not merely procedural; it is a solemn occasion of historic significance.
“It provides a noble platform through which both institutions may exchange knowledge, compare experiences, and glean invaluable insights that will enrich our shared mission of delivering social security benefits to our citizens,” Faleye said.
Represented by the Executive Director, Administration, Mr Samaila Abdu, the Managing Director said NSITF holds the partnership with SSHFC in the highest regard and expressed delight at receiving the delegation in Nigeria.
He expressed the hope that at the end of the exercise, the lessons learnt would advance the corporate aspirations of both NSITF and SSHFC and ultimately benefit citizens of Nigeria and The Gambia.
The week-long engagement is expected to feature technical sessions, facility tours, and discussions on policy, administration, and service delivery under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
Welcoming the visitors, the Executive Director Finance, Olufemi Samuel, said the study tour was designed to foster cross-border cooperation and strategic collaboration in critical areas of industrial injuries compensation.
“On behalf of the Board and Management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), and all relevant stakeholders in our social security and labour sector, I warmly welcome the Board of Directors and Management of the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) of The Gambia to NSITF.
“We are here to flag off a highly anticipated capacity-building and study visit. This engagement is designed to foster cross-border cooperation, knowledge exchange, and strategic collaboration in the critical areas of industrial injuries compensation and social security administration.”
He expressed optimism that “This visit will offer a platform to explore practical frameworks for workplace accident prevention, disability benefits, and survivors’ compensation.
It is also an opportunity for NSITF and SSHFC to discuss the challenges of managing social protection funds and ensuring robust occupational health and safety standards.
“We hope this study tour will not only provide valuable insights into our operational procedures and claims tracking but will also serve as a foundation for a lasting, mutually beneficial partnership,” he stated.
Responding, the leader of the Gambian delegation and Chairman of the Board and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Employment, Lamine Camara, said the organisation was in Nigeria to learn and share experiences and expressed delight for a partnership with NSITF.
According to him, “It’s a way to sustain collaboration with sister organisations.
“We are here to learn from such engagement. We are motivated and would be glad to share all the experiences we learn here back home,” Camara said.
NSITF administers the ECS in Nigeria, which provides compensation for work-related injuries, diseases, death and promotes occupational safety and health in workplaces across the country, while the SSHFC is The Gambia’s statutory body responsible for social security and housing finance, including the administration of industrial injuries compensation.
