The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund has called for stronger judicial interpretation and enforcement of the Employees’ Compensation Act 2010 to ensure workers receive the benefits and protection provided under the law.
The Managing Director of NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, made the call on Thursday at the opening of the 2026 Legal Stakeholders’ Engagement in Abuja.
The two-day event brought together judges, lawyers, labour leaders, employers and government officials to discuss ways of improving the administration of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
It was held under the theme, “Enhancing Judicial Interpretation, Adjudication and Enforcement under the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA), 2010.”
Faleye said the existence of legislation alone did not guarantee justice for workers who suffered occupational injuries, diseases, disabilities or death.
He argued that the effectiveness of the Act depended on proper interpretation of its provisions, fair and timely resolution of disputes, and effective enforcement of court decisions.
“The existence of a law does not by itself guarantee that its promise will be fulfilled,” he said.
According to him, weaknesses in any of the three areas could undermine public confidence in the compensation system and prevent workers from receiving their entitlements.
Faleye said decisions of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria were particularly important because they clarified workers’ rights, influenced employers’ conduct and provided guidance for resolving future labour disputes.
“For workers, justice means the practical realisation of their entitlements, while for employers it means a predictable legal environment,” he said.
Minister calls for fairness in dispute resolution
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, said public confidence in government institutions depended on the fair and impartial administration of justice.
Quoting the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa’s description of the judiciary as “the last hope of the common man,” Dingyadi said the courts had a significant responsibility to uphold fairness and integrity.
“The credibility of our institutions is strengthened not by words alone, but by the quality and integrity of their actions,” the minister said.
Also speaking, the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip, called for stronger collaboration among relevant institutions to ensure that compensation benefits reached eligible workers.
The engagement is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine legal and institutional challenges affecting the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Act and identify ways to improve access to workplace injury and death benefits.
