NSITF Sets Reform Agenda to Boost Social Security Delivery

By Chinedu Echianu

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has outlined a reform agenda aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s social security system following its two-day 2026 Management Performance Review meeting held in Abuja.

The session brought together senior management officials to evaluate the agency’s performance in 2025 and define policy priorities to enhance service delivery and financial sustainability in the coming year.

Discussions centred on reviewing regional results, improving coordination across branches, identifying operational challenges, and repositioning the Fund for greater efficiency.

Opening the meeting, Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye emphasised the importance of measurable outcomes and renewed commitment to the agency’s mandate.

He outlined five strategic priorities for 2026, including expanding coverage — particularly among private and informal sector workers — improving transparency and speed in claims processing, strengthening financial discipline, advancing digital transformation, and promoting integrity and professionalism.

Faleye noted that building trust among stakeholders would be key to delivering value to contributors and beneficiaries.

Regional representatives highlighted measures aimed at widening coverage, boosting compliance, reducing operational costs, and strengthening engagement with small and medium-scale enterprises and informal-sector operators.

The review assessed the performance of regional offices, branches, and core departments, while proposing solutions to identified gaps.

Among the proposed measures were the creation of dedicated teams to address backlogs of unresolved files, increase registrations, and optimise cost-collection ratios.

Participants also recommended stronger legal enforcement against non-compliant employers, improved deployment of personnel and resources, performance-based incentives, and enhanced collaboration with stakeholders.

The meeting underscored the need for digital reforms, including unified databases, automated workflows, and real-time monitoring systems to accelerate compensation delivery and improve transparency.

Participants also called for closer collaboration with agencies such as the Nigeria Revenue Service and the Corporate Affairs Commission to strengthen contributions.

Staff welfare, diversity, and mental-health support were also identified as areas requiring attention as part of broader institutional reforms.

Extending coverage of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme to the informal economy emerged as a major theme of the meeting.

Participants recommended increased sensitisation campaigns, simplified enrolment processes, and partnerships with relevant organisations to drive participation.

At the close of the review, management pledged to implement the resolutions with clear timelines, monitoring frameworks, and accountability measures. Officials described the exercise as part of efforts to reinforce the Fund’s mandate, broaden coverage, and rebuild confidence in Nigeria’s social security system.