Nigeria is set to deepen regional collaboration on social protection as it prepares to host the 2026 West Africa Technical Seminar of the International Social Security Association in Abuja.
The seminar, organised in partnership with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, will focus on enhancing the inclusiveness and accessibility of social security services through effective communication strategies.
Speaking ahead of the event, the Managing Director of NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, stated that the initiative forms part of a broader regional effort to strengthen social protection systems and improve service delivery across West Africa.
The seminar will convene a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, employers, workers’ representatives, and development partners, to explore practical approaches to expanding social security coverage and improving implementation outcomes.
According to Faleye, Nigeria has recorded notable progress in strengthening its social security framework, particularly through initiatives such as the Employees’ Compensation Scheme and expanded workplace injury coverage. However, he emphasised the need to deepen coverage, simplify access, and enhance engagement with both employers and workers.
He noted that the theme of the seminar—focused on communication—reflects a critical gap in many systems across the region, where limited awareness, complex administrative processes, and low institutional trust continue to hinder effective participation.
Faleye further highlighted that social protection systems in West Africa face increasing pressure to adapt to evolving labour market realities, including large informal sectors and a predominantly young, mobile workforce. He stressed that regional collaboration is essential to developing context-specific solutions rather than replicating external models.
Participating institutions are expected to include key national and international bodies such as the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, National Pension Commission, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, UNESCO, and the International Labour Organization, among others.
The seminar is expected to generate actionable insights to improve service delivery, strengthen institutional collaboration, and promote effective communication strategies that enhance public trust and participation.
Faleye emphasised that strengthening social security systems requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders. Governments must provide enabling policy frameworks, institutions must ensure efficient service delivery, employers must comply and actively engage, while workers must be adequately informed and empowered.
He concluded that the ultimate objective is to move beyond theoretical coverage to practical, accessible, and trusted social security systems that effectively serve millions of workers across the region.
