By Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has presented compensation cheques worth N31.72 million to five beneficiaries from treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), marking the first direct payout to federal civil servants under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) since the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA) was enacted in 2010.
The presentation, held in Abuja on Tuesday, benefitted families of workers who died or suffered work-related injuries while serving in the federal public service.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSITF, Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye, described the occasion as the fulfilment of a legal obligation rather than a ceremonial event.
“We are not here for a ceremony. We are here to keep a promise,” he said, adding that the scheme had finally translated policy into tangible support for affected workers and their families.
Faleye noted that although the Employees’ Compensation Act guarantees compensation for workers who suffer occupational injuries, diseases or death in the course of duty, the benefit had remained largely inaccessible to federal civil servants until now.
He attributed the breakthrough to the recent integration of federal workers into the Employees’ Compensation Scheme and the establishment of an ECS Help Desk at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation earlier this year.
The NSITF boss commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for championing compliance and ensuring the successful implementation of the scheme within the public service.
Addressing beneficiaries, Faleye acknowledged that no amount of money could replace the lives lost or erase the pain suffered by affected families.
He, however, stressed that the compensation demonstrated that the government recognised their sacrifices and remained committed to supporting them.
He also pledged faster claims processing and stronger workplace safety measures to reduce future incidents.
Faleye urged all MDAs yet to enrol their workers in the scheme to do so without delay, warning that workplace risks remain inevitable but protection should not be optional.
The beneficiaries included Jae Grace Danture of the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (N3.82 million), Uzochukwu Aguomba of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (N10.4 million), Olofu Pius Agri of the University of Abuja (N3.17 million), Patience Oyekunle Nwankwo of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (N2.45 million), and Audu Sanda Eyum of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), who received N11.88 million.
In her remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described the presentation as the practical fulfilment of the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
She emphasised that the payments were lawful entitlements under the Employees’ Compensation Act, not acts of charity, and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising workers’ welfare through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to her, the Employees’ Compensation Scheme provides financial compensation, medical care, rehabilitation, counselling and support for dependants of workers who die in the course of duty, helping affected families rebuild their lives with dignity.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Kamil Ayinde Shoretire, commended NSITF for faithfully implementing its mandate of providing social protection for Nigerian workers.
He said the scheme reinforces workplace safety and reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and productivity.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Sandra Audu of PTAD expressed appreciation to NSITF for its professionalism during the verification and claims process, noting that officials ensured seamless service despite her medical condition.
She described the compensation as a clear demonstration of the benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda and thanked all those who made the process successful.
