Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening social security and employee protection through an expanded partnership with the International Social Security Association (ISSA), a leading global body for social protection institutions.
The collaboration was highlighted during a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The ISSA Secretary General, Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano, met with a delegation from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), led by the Executive Director of Administration, Samaila Abdu, who represented the Managing Director, Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye.
The engagement underscored Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to enhance its social security framework, particularly in the area of employee compensation and workplace protection.
ISSA, which comprises over 340 member organisations across 165 countries, plays a pivotal role in promoting excellence in social security systems worldwide. During the meeting, Caetano commended Nigeria’s growing influence in the sector and acknowledged the country’s contributions to advancing social protection initiatives both regionally and globally.
He specifically praised the NSITF for successfully hosting a recent regional conference in Abuja, which brought together social security institutions from across West Africa. The event, held in April, focused on improving inclusiveness and accessibility in social security services through effective communication strategies.
According to Caetano, the conference demonstrated Nigeria’s leadership in driving reforms and fostering collaboration within the West African sub-region.
The NSITF delegation reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening partnerships that enhance the delivery of social security services and ensure better protection for Nigerian workers. Officials noted that collaboration with ISSA provides valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and adoption of global best practices.
The partnership is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s employee compensation system, expand coverage, and improve service delivery, particularly in a rapidly evolving labour environment.
Observers say the renewed engagement signals Nigeria’s intention to play a more prominent role in shaping social security systems across Africa, while also addressing longstanding challenges related to accessibility and inclusiveness.
As global conversations around workers’ welfare continue, the alliance between Nigeria and ISSA is seen as a strategic step toward building a more resilient and responsive social protection framework for the country’s workforce.
