The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund has commenced a major digital transformation of its operations, moving away from predominantly manual processes towards a more efficient and accountable system, its Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye, has said.
Faleye disclosed this on Monday when he received the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Kamil Shoretire, at the NSITF headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement signed by the Deputy General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Alex Mede, Faleye said the reforms were initiated after the current management assumed office in July 2024 and identified several structural and operational challenges within the Fund.
He said the institution was heavily reliant on manual processes, had a management structure concentrated at the top, experienced career stagnation and faced gaps in the deployment of personnel and resources.
Staff audit, restructuring
Faleye said management began its reform programme with a comprehensive staff audit designed to provide an objective assessment of the Fund’s workforce structure and organisational requirements.
“One of the first things we did was to undertake a comprehensive staff audit and provide an objective assessment of our workforce structure and organisational needs,” he said.
He said recommendations from the audit were being implemented in phases to ensure that the reforms remained sustainable and evidence-based.
According to him, NSITF has also commenced a digital transformation programme aimed at replacing manual systems with integrated and responsive processes.
He added that a Voluntary Exit Exercise was introduced to create a leaner and more functional organisation, with clearer responsibilities and greater opportunities for career progression.
Improved work environment
The NSITF chief executive said the reforms had also extended to the Fund’s work environment and operational infrastructure.
He disclosed that the Operations Directorate had been moved to a more modern and conducive location, while branches across the country were undergoing renovation and upgrades.
Furniture, information and communications technology equipment, printers and transportation capacity are also being deployed progressively, alongside continued training and capacity building for staff, he said.
Expansion of workers’ compensation coverage
Faleye said the internal reforms were beginning to translate into broader coverage under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
He disclosed that NSITF had successfully onboarded treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies and had commenced the payment of claims.
According to him, the first five beneficiaries recently received compensation at an event witnessed by the Permanent Secretary.
“We are at an advanced stage of engagement with the Lagos State Government and Taraba State Government, while discussions with a number of other States are progressing,” Faleye said.
He added that the Fund was strengthening partnerships with federal MDAs and regional organisations to expand coverage under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, particularly among workers in the informal and emerging economies.
More work needed
Faleye said the reforms had produced visible changes since the current management assumed office but acknowledged that the transformation remained a work in progress.
“After two years, I believe it is fair to say that NSITF is no longer where it was when this Management assumed office. The digital transformation has begun. The organisational structure is being progressively reconfigured. The top-heavy management structure is being addressed,” he said.
He identified expanding coverage of informal-sector workers, improving compliance, strengthening data and digital integration, and enhancing claims administration as some of the areas requiring further attention.
Ministry pledges support
In his response, Shoretire commended the NSITF management for what he described as bold reforms and visible improvements in the Fund.
He pledged the ministry’s continued support towards strengthening Nigeria’s social security system.
The Permanent Secretary also urged the Fund to work more closely with sister agencies to extend Employees’ Compensation Scheme coverage to informal-sector workers.
He further called on NSITF to strengthen preventive workplace safety programmes, stressing the importance of protecting workers from accidents and occupational risks before they occur.
