The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Oluwaseun Faleye, has underscored the role of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) in restoring hope and dignity to Nigerian workers injured in the line of duty.
Faleye stated this in Abuja during the presentation of prosthetic limbs to 10 beneficiaries of the scheme.
Represented by the General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mrs Nkiru Ogunnike, the NSITF boss said the initiative continued to bring relief and renewed confidence to injured workers through rehabilitation and reintegration support.
According to him, the ECS extends beyond statutory compensation and reflects a humane commitment to restoring confidence and preserving the dignity of workers affected by occupational hazards.
He noted that workplace accidents often leave victims with not only physical injuries but also emotional trauma and uncertainty about the future.
Faleye explained that, for many Nigerian workers, a single workplace incident could permanently alter the course of their lives.
He, however, said the intervention of the NSITF through the ECS provides victims with a second chance to rebuild their lives and regain independence.
Highlighting some success stories, he cited the experiences of two beneficiaries, Daniel Etim, a staff member of the University of Uyo Printing Press, and Festus Okpara of Tower Aluminium, as evidence of the scheme’s impact.
Daniel lost his arm in May 2024 after it became trapped in an industrial machine during routine work, resulting in amputation.
“Through the intervention of the NSITF as administrators of the ECS, Daniel received full medical support, with all treatment expenses covered under the scheme.
“Beyond the payment of medical bills, the Fund also provided him with a prosthetic arm, reaffirming its commitment not only to compensation but also to restoring dignity, confidence and functionality to injured workers.
“Daniel’s story highlights the broader mandate of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, which ensures that Nigerian workers who suffer workplace injuries, disabilities, occupational diseases or death are not abandoned during moments of vulnerability,” Faleye said.
He added that Festus Okpara, who lost his hand in a workplace accident in 2015, also benefited from the scheme.
According to him, beyond the physical trauma, Festus endured years of emotional distress and social discomfort caused by public reactions to his condition.
Faleye said the NSITF later provided him with a silicone prosthetic hand, helping him regain confidence and a renewed sense of inclusion and self-worth.
“For beneficiaries like Daniel and Festus, the interventions of the NSITF represent hope, restoration and reassurance that injured workers are not left alone to face tragedy,” he stated.
The NSITF boss noted that the cases also highlighted the often-overlooked psychological and emotional effects of workplace injuries.
“These interventions underscore the critical role of the NSITF in implementing the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, which remains a vital safety net for workers in both the public and private sectors,” he emphasised.
Speaking on how the intervention transformed his life, Festus Okpara expressed gratitude to the NSITF.
“I thank NSITF for coming to my aid. With this silicone artificial hand, I can now go out in public with confidence. NSITF has greatly reduced my trauma,” he said.
The 10 beneficiaries are among 78 persons recently fitted with artificial limbs under the ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration programme of the NSITF.
