The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), has assured stakeholders of its readiness to facilitate meaningful, solution-driven discussions aimed at strengthening social protection systems across the region as Nigeria hosts the 2026 International Social Security Association (ISSA) West Africa Technical Seminar.
The Managing Director of NSITF, Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, gave this assurance during a media briefing ahead of the seminar, scheduled to take place in Abuja next week. He emphasised the fund’s readiness to collaborate with key stakeholders and development partners to establish social security in the workplace.
Faleye explained that the seminar, themed “Improving Inclusiveness and Accessibility of Social Security Services through Effective Communication”, is not merely an event but part of a broader effort to enhance social protection systems across West Africa.
He stated that while Nigeria has made significant progress in strengthening its social security architecture, particularly through the Employees’ Compensation Scheme and expanded workplace injury coverage, there is still a need to deepen coverage, simplify access, and improve engagement with employers and workers.
“We look forward to welcoming stakeholders from across the region to Abuja. What we begin here is not just a conversation; it is a commitment to strengthening protection for millions of workers across West Africa,” Faleye said.
He noted that the seminar comes at a time when social protection systems globally, and particularly in West Africa, are under increasing pressure to evolve, with millions of workers, especially in the informal sector, remaining outside formal social security coverage.
“The question is no longer whether social security is important but how effectively we are delivering it,” he stated, adding that the seminar will bring together social security institutions, policymakers, employers, and workers’ representatives to improve practical implementation, not just policy frameworks.
Faleye further observed that often, the challenge is not the absence of schemes but limited awareness, complex processes, and low trust in institutions. “Communication is therefore not an add-on; it is central to expanding coverage and building confidence,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s hosting the seminar reflects its commitment to continuous improvement and regional leadership, noting that West Africa shares common structural realities, including large informal economies, youthful and mobile populations, and evolving labour markets. These, he said, make collaboration and context-specific solutions essential.
The Managing Director emphasised that strengthening social security is a shared responsibility, with development partners playing a crucial role in supporting innovation and capacity building.
He listed participating organisations as including the Federal Ministry of Labour, PENCOM, NECA, MAN, NLC, TUC, UNESCO, and the ILO, among others.
Faleye urged governments to establish enabling policies, ensure efficient delivery by institutions, encourage compliance and engagement from employers, and empower and inform workers.
On expected outcomes, he said the seminar would generate practical insights to improve service delivery, strengthen institutional collaboration across the region, and highlight effective communication strategies.
“Ultimately, the goal is to move from coverage in theory to coverage in reality,” he said, adding that social security must become a system people can access, understand, and trust.
The ISSA West Africa Technical Seminar 2026 will hold at the Abuja Continental Hotel from 22 to 23 April 2026.