The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has assured officers and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of compensation and other benefits for injuries, disabilities and occupational diseases suffered in the course of their duties.
The Fund also said eligible dependants of personnel who die while carrying out official assignments would receive statutory compensation to help cushion the financial impact on their families.
Managing Director and Chief Executive of NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, gave the assurance on Wednesday during the sensitisation and onboarding ceremony of the NSCDC into the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), held at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.
Faleye said the scheme was designed to provide a dependable welfare and protection system for workers exposed to occupational hazards, particularly security personnel who regularly undertake dangerous assignments.
He said those responsible for protecting the country also deserved adequate protection while carrying out their responsibilities.
The NSITF chief commended the NSCDC Commandant General for initiating the partnership, noting that the Corps registered with the Fund on August 23, 2024.
He added that the NSCDC had demonstrated commitment to the scheme by making provision for it in its 2026 budget and engaging the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation on the necessary budgetary arrangements.
Benefits for injured NSCDC officers
Faleye explained that the Employees’ Compensation Scheme was established under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010, to provide financial and medical support to workers who suffer injuries, disabilities or occupational diseases in the course of employment.
He said the scheme was particularly important to frontline security personnel who face risks while protecting critical infrastructure, conducting rescue operations and responding to emergencies.
Under the scheme, affected officers may access medical treatment, hospitalisation, medication and rehabilitation services.
The support also covers prosthetic and other assistive devices where necessary.
Faleye said officers who suffer temporary incapacity could receive income support, while those with permanent partial or total disabilities would be entitled to statutory compensation.
Families of fallen officers to receive benefits
The NSITF managing director stressed that the scheme also protects the families of personnel who die in the course of duty.
He explained that eligible dependants would receive compensation in line with the provisions of the law, helping to reduce the financial difficulties that may follow the loss of a family breadwinner.
He urged the NSCDC to establish designated Employees’ Compensation Scheme desks at its national headquarters, state commands and area commands.
According to him, the desks would help officers report workplace injuries promptly, guide affected personnel and their families through claims procedures and maintain effective communication with the NSITF.
NSCDC welcomes partnership
Declaring the programme open, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, described the onboarding of the Corps’ officers and men into the scheme as an important step towards strengthening their welfare and protection.
The partnership is expected to improve awareness of compensation entitlements and provide a formal channel for personnel and their families to access benefits when work-related injuries, disabilities, occupational diseases or deaths occur.
The Employees’ Compensation Scheme is administered by the NSITF under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010.
