The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barrister Olúwaṣeun Mayomi Faleye, has called for a comprehensive rethinking of Nigeria’s social protection framework to address emerging risks linked to artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace.
Faleye made the call during his presentation at the 2025 Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) Workshop in Ibadan. His remarks were contained in a statement signed by the NSITF Deputy General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Alex Mede.
Speaking on the topic “Social Security and Protection for Nigerian Workers Amid AI Disruption,” Faleye warned that the rapid adoption of AI technologies is transforming the nature of work and expanding the scope of occupational risks.
“Work-related risks are no longer confined to physical injuries on factory floors,” he said. “They now include technological displacement, income instability, and psychological stress resulting from rapid workplace changes.”
Faleye emphasized the need for a new “social protection order” that adapts to these realities.
“We must rethink coverage, redefine risk, and reimagine support. In the era of AI, social security must not only compensate — it must empower,” he asserted.
While acknowledging the promise of AI in enhancing productivity, Faleye cautioned that automation also threatens traditional jobs across multiple sectors. He urged policymakers to focus on protecting and reskilling displaced workers through intentional policies and sustained investments in social security.
The NSITF chief also highlighted Nigeria’s unique challenges in expanding social protection, noting that over 80 percent of the country’s workforce operates in the informal sector — a group largely excluded from existing safety nets. He attributed the low participation rate in the Employees’ Compensation Scheme to limited public awareness of workers’ rights and benefits.
Despite these challenges, Faleye expressed optimism about the potential of AI to strengthen social protection systems. “AI offers tools to make social protection more efficient — from digital identity verification to predictive analytics that detect fraud or anticipate workplace risks before they occur,” he noted.
He outlined priority areas for reform, including expanding social security coverage, investing in digital literacy and reskilling, leveraging AI for service delivery, and fostering collaboration among government, labour, and employers.
Faleye also urged journalists to play an active role in raising awareness about the importance of social protection in an AI-driven economy, stressing that workers’ welfare must remain at the heart of innovation and policy development.
