Stakeholders in Nigeria’s labour and social protection sectors converged in Lagos on Monday for a high-level retreat organised by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), in collaboration with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Employment, Labour, and Productivity.

With the theme, “Strengthening Social Security and Enhancing Labour Productivity in Nigeria,” the two-day event aims to address critical issues surrounding social protection coverage, legislative reforms, and productivity in the Nigerian workforce.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government to drive comprehensive social security reform.

Citing global shifts such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and the demand for just economic transitions, the Minister said the current social protection framework in Nigeria must evolve to meet these realities.

“The prosperity of any nation is a function of how productive its labour is. But productivity is hampered when workers are not motivated or assured of their safety and compensation,” Dingyadi stated.

He underscored the importance of the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS), describing it as a vital instrument for ensuring income protection for workers in the face of injury, disability, or death.

The Minister praised NSITF’s management for revamping the agency’s operations and expanding ECS enrollment efforts.

However, he lamented that despite the scheme’s establishment over 15 years ago, enrollment remains low, leaving millions of Nigerian workers without adequate compensation or support during workplace contingencies.

He called for urgent legislative amendments to key statutes, including the Employees Compensation Act 2010 and the proposed Occupational Safety and Health Bill, to align with emerging global standards and realities.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the NSITF Board, Shola Olofin, declared the retreat a platform for renewal and strategic thinking, not just bureaucratic deliberation.

“It is no longer enough to do things the way they have always been done,” Olofin stated.

“The future of work demands data-driven policies and stronger institutional collaboration. At NSITF, we view our responsibility not as charity but as a duty to ensure dignity, compensation, and protection for all workers.”

He commended the theme of the retreat and called for a sustainable framework that protects both formal and informal sector workers in line with international best practices.

NSITF’s Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye, in his welcome address, highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue and the inclusion of stakeholders such as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

According to him, their presence ensured that the retreat captured a 360-degree view of the challenges and opportunities within the nation’s social protection landscape.

“This retreat is not a ceremonial gathering; it is a working mission. We are here to refine our strategies, interrogate our policies, and recommit to delivering an employee compensation scheme that is effective, transparent, and trusted,” Faleye said.

Faleye noted the strides NSITF has made in expanding its digital footprint and enhancing compliance mechanisms, but stressed that transformation is a continuous journey.

He called on lawmakers to help enforce compliance at sub-national levels, especially across local government areas where ECS implementation remains minimal.

“The Employees Compensation Scheme is not just for the organised private sector. It is a national commitment, and it must be operationalised at all levels of government,” he urged.

He noted that “every injury prevented and every life protected moves us one step closer to the Nigeria we envision.”

The retreat is expected to lead to legislative actions that will strengthen the country’s social insurance framework, foster a motivated workforce, and position Nigeria on a firmer path towards inclusive economic development.

As deliberations continue, stakeholders have pledged to use the opportunity not only to reflect on existing gaps but to enact sustainable reforms that secure the dignity and productivity of every Nigerian worker.

Between June and July, the NSITF paid a total of N172.5 million to beneficiaries under the scheme, while employee enrollment in the formal sector rose by 151 per cent to nearly 8 million.

The agency also recorded an increase in the number of informal sector participants, comprising Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), on the scheme, from 6,000 to 15,500, totalling N376 million in contribution collection.