From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barr. Oluwaseun Falaye, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, commissioned an Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) Help Desk at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Falaye said that by the commissioning, the NSITF is institutionalising care, protection, and dignity for Nigerian civil servants, adding that “it is a bold statement that the Nigerian Government is not only committed to service, but also to the safety, welfare, and security of those who serve.”
“What we are witnessing here today is a defining milestone, a significant step in the evolution of social security delivery within Nigeria’s public service—a step that transforms policy into presence and intention into impact,” he said.
The Managing Director commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to strengthening social protection systems and prioritising the welfare of the Nigerian workforce.
He also appreciated the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for her visionary leadership, strategic direction, and institutional support that made the initiative a reality.
“Your dedication to reform and continuous improvement within the Federal Civil Service is highly commendable, Ma.
“We appreciate you for embracing this partnership with clarity of purpose and the commitment to building a more responsive and worker-centred system.
“To all stakeholders across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, your collaboration, openness, and alignment have been critical to achieving this milestone.
“This is a collective success, and it reflects what is possible when institutions work together with a shared vision,” he stated.
On the importance of the desk, Falaye explained that “what makes today truly historic is that this is the first of its kind. For the first time, federal civil servants under treasury-funded MDAs are being systematically integrated into the Employees’ Compensation Scheme through a structured payroll framework. This is not just an operational improvement; it is a structural transformation.”
Enumerating the structural composition, the MD stated that “every eligible civil servant is captured, every contribution is accounted for, and every potential claim is anchored on a reliable and verifiable system. This is how strong systems are built—intentionally, deliberately, and sustainably.”
According to him, the Employees’ Compensation Scheme Help Desk is the true engine of service delivery.
“This Help Desk is not just a physical office. It is a fully functional, responsive, and accessible one-stop service hub, a place where every civil servant can come with confidence and receive clear information, professional guidance, prompt support, and effective resolution,” he suggested.
Speaking further, the MD said the Help Desk has been designed to serve multiple critical functions, including an information and clarification hub that provides accurate and timely information on every aspect of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, ensuring that civil servants fully understand their rights, benefits, and entitlements.
The composition also includes an advisory and guidance centre, which offers direction to staff and HR units across MDAs on procedures, documentation, eligibility, and compliance requirements, eliminating confusion and uncertainty.
Listing the interfaces of the Help Desk, Falaye maintained that: “The Claims Support and Processing Interface serves as the first point of contact for claims-related matters, guiding applicants through the process, ensuring completeness of documentation, and facilitating seamless submission.
“Issue Resolution and Escalation Desk: All concerns, complaints, or challenges will be promptly attended to and escalated where necessary, ensuring that no issue is ignored and no case is left unattended.
“Compliance and Liaison Platform: The Help Desk will work closely with ECS liaison officers across MDAs to ensure proper coordination, accurate data flow, and adherence to established processes.
“Data and Feedback Intelligence Centre: It will capture real-time data, identify trends, and provide insights that will help us continuously improve the scheme, simplify procedures, and enhance service delivery.
“Sensitisation and awareness channel: It will also serve as a platform for ongoing education, ensuring that awareness of the scheme is not a one-time event, but a continuous process.”
He further noted that “with this structure in place, our commitment at NSITF is clear: we are delivering a system that is accessible, responsive, transparent, and efficient.
“Our processes are now streamlined and coordinated, designed to ensure smoother engagement, faster responses, and more predictable outcomes.
“What we have done here today is not to repair a system, but to build one correctly from the very beginning—a system that works by design, inspires confidence, and assures every civil servant that they are not just employees, but protected stakeholders in the Nigerian project.
“Today, we are not just commissioning a Help Desk. We are commissioning access. We are commissioning confidence. We are commissioning a future where every Nigerian civil servant can serve with the assurance that their welfare is secure, their dignity is protected, and their government stands firmly behind them,” he said.
In her response, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, lauded the commissioning of the Help Desk, describing it as historic, and commended the President for his support and concern for the welfare of civil servants.
In her words: “This is a historic moment, an act coming to life after 16 years, thanks to Mr President. It has strengthened all that we have in place for workers’ welfare. We are deeply grateful to Mr President for making workers’ welfare a priority.”
The highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the NSITF and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to strengthen synergy.
While Barr. Falaye signed for the NSITF, Dr Abdul Garba, Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, signed on behalf of the OHCSF.
