Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Oluwaseun Faleye, has said Nigeria can no longer postpone strengthening its social protection system as pressure from population growth and labour market changes continues to rise.
Faleye made the remarks at the ISSA West Africa Technical Seminar 2026, where social security institutions and policymakers from across the region gathered to discuss access, inclusion and service delivery.
He pointed to Nigeria’s large youth population, expanding workforce and the size of its informal sector as key drivers of rising demand on social protection systems.
“The demand for a responsive and strong social protection system is inevitable,” he said.
Faleye said the NSITF, under the Employees’ Compensation Act, is tasked with providing protection in cases of workplace injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities and death, adding that the responsibility directly affects workers and their families.
He said the agency is already shifting from paper-based processes to digital systems aimed at improving efficiency, claims processing and transparency.
“We are investing in platforms that support faster claims processing, better data management and more transparent engagement with employers and beneficiaries,” he said.
He, however, stressed that the reform process goes beyond technology adoption.
“Digital transformation is not a one-off project. It requires skills, governance, cybersecurity and institutional culture,” he said.
Faleye also referenced the role of the International Social Security Association (ISSA), noting that it has remained central to knowledge sharing and cooperation among social security institutions globally.
He said the seminar offers an opportunity for West African countries to compare experiences and address shared challenges, including low coverage, informality and funding constraints.
Faleye urged participants to focus on practical outcomes that can improve service delivery across the region.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, said the theme of the seminar reflects the realities facing Nigeria’s development trajectory.
He said social security should be treated as a core pillar of social justice, industrial harmony and economic stability, not just a welfare mechanism.
Dingyadi noted that rising informality and rapid technological changes are forcing governments to rethink how social protection systems are structured and delivered.