…says those who protect Nigeria must be protected too
Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, has assured personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of comprehensive protection under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) for injuries, disabilities and diseases sustained in the line of duty. He also said that their dependents will be taken care of in the case of death I. The course of work.
Speaking on Wednesday at the sensitisation and onboarding ceremony of the NSCDC on the ECS at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja, the NSITF MD said the engagement was of critical importance to the welfare of men of the Corps who risk their lives daily to protect critical national assets and infrastructure.
“An institution entrusted with protecting the nation must therefore have a dependable system for protecting its own workforce. Those who protect our nation must themselves be protected. That is the principle that brings us together today,” he said.
He commended the Commandant General of the NSCDC for his foresight and proactive leadership in initiating the partnership, noting that since registering with NSITF on the 23rd of August 2024, the Corps has demonstrated commitment by making provision for the Scheme in its 2026 budget and engaging the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation on budgetary arrangements.
According to the MD, the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, established under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010, provides compensation and support to employees who suffer work-related injuries, occupational diseases, or disabilities, and for their dependents in the case of death in the course of employment.
He explained that for a frontline security agency like the NSCDC, the protection is especially relevant, citing scenarios of officers injured while defending critical infrastructure, during rescue operations or from exposure to hazardous conditions.
“The Scheme provides practical protection against these risks. An officer who suffers a compensable workplace injury can access medical treatment, hospitalisation, medication and rehabilitation, including prosthetic and assistive devices where needed,” he stated.
“It provides income support during temporary incapacity and statutory compensation for permanent partial or total disability. Most importantly, where an officer dies in the course of work, eligible dependants receive compensation, so that the family left behind does not bear the full financial burden of that loss alone.”
Faleye stressed that the Scheme is more than a statutory obligation, describing it as an investment in personnel welfare, institutional resilience and operational effectiveness.
He urged the NSCDC to go beyond registration and remittance of the statutory one per cent contribution and establish designated ECS Desks at the National Headquarters, State Commands and Area Commands to serve as contact points for reporting injuries, guiding affected officers and families through the claims process and liaising promptly with NSITF.
He also called for the appointment of a central coordinating officer to manage the Corps’ engagement with the Fund.
The MD assured that NSITF would provide technical guidance and hands-on support through its Compliance, Claims and Compensation, and Occupational Health and Safety teams on onboarding, personnel data harmonisation, sensitisation and claims administration.
“Our commitment does not end with today’s ceremony; we intend to build a responsive and enduring partnership,” he said.
He added that the success of the partnership would not be measured by the number of personnel registered or contributions remitted, but by whether an injured officer receives timely support and no eligible personnel is left behind.
“Together, let us ensure that those who protect Nigeria are never left unprotected,” he said.
While declaring the programme opened, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said the onboarding of his officers and men onto the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) of the NSITF was strategic in strengthening the welfare and protection framework for personnel of the Corps.
He expressed appreciation to the management of NSITF for its commitment to the welfare of NSCDC personnel, describing the partnership as an important milestone in institutional cooperation.
“This partnership represents an important step towards strengthening institutional cooperation and ensuring that our personnel benefit from the provisions of the Employees’ Compensation Act,” he said.
The CG, represented by DCG Ibrahim Ningi, Deputy Commandant General,Technical Services noted that NSCDC occupies a critical place in Nigeria’s internal security architecture, with personnel engaged in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, safeguarding lives and property, disaster management and emergency response — duties that often expose them to occupational hazards and injuries.
“Consequently, the welfare, safety and protection of our personnel must remain a priority. We recognise that the effectiveness of any security organisation is not determined solely by its operational capacity, but also by the extent to which it protects, motivates and provides adequate support for its workforce,” he stated.
He described the Employees’ Compensation Scheme as a significant intervention that provides compensation and support to employees who suffer work-related injuries, disabilities, occupational diseases or death in the course of employment.
“Beyond its financial benefits, the scheme provides an important social protection mechanism that promotes dignity, security and confidence among workers and their families,” he added.
The Commandant General said the Corps considers its onboarding onto the ECS a strategic institutional priority aimed at ensuring that all eligible personnel are properly registered and that administrative structures are established to facilitate access to benefits.
He explained that the sensitisation programme will equip Insurance Desk Officers with requisite knowledge of the scheme’s provisions, registration and onboarding procedures, claims processing, reporting obligations and other operational requirements.
“I therefore urge all participants to take full advantage of this programme. You must approach the sessions with seriousness, commitment and a clear understanding that the knowledge acquired is expected to translate into practical results,” he charged.
The CG directed participants to become effective resource persons within their commands and formations after the training, and charged relevant officers to maintain accurate personnel records, ensure timely submission of required information and establish effective communication channels with NSITF.
He emphasised that successful implementation requires sustained collaboration, transparency, accountability and institutional commitment.
“We must move beyond sensitisation to actual implementation, ensuring that no eligible personnel is left out of the process,” he said.
The Commandant General expressed confidence that the partnership between NSCDC and NSITF will strengthen the Corps’ personnel welfare system and contribute to a more motivated, secure and productive workforce.
