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Says those who protect Nigeria must be protected too
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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has assured families of deceased personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS).
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, gave the assurance on Wednesday at the sensitisation and onboarding ceremony of the NSCDC on the ECS at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement from the Fund, Faleye said the scheme provided compensation and support to employees who suffered work-related injuries, occupational diseases or disabilities, as well as their dependants in the event of death in the course of employment.
He said the protection was particularly important for NSCDC personnel, who risk their lives daily while protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, safeguarding lives and property, and responding to emergencies.
“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.
The NSITF boss explained that officers who sustained compensable workplace injuries would have access to medical treatment, hospitalisation, medication and rehabilitation, including prosthetic and assistive devices where necessary.
He added that the scheme also provided 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,” he said.
Faleye commended the Commandant General of NSCDC for initiating the partnership, noting that the Corps registered with NSITF on August 23, 2024, and had demonstrated commitment by making provision for the scheme in its 2026 budget.
He urged the Corps to go beyond registration and remittance of the statutory one per cent contribution by establishing designated ECS desks at its national, state and area commands.
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According to him, the desks would serve as contact points for reporting workplace injuries, guiding affected officers and their families through the claims process and liaising with NSITF.
He also called for the appointment of a central coordinating officer to manage the Corps’ engagement with the Fund.
The managing director assured that NSITF would provide technical guidance and hands-on support through its Compliance, Claims and Compensation, and Occupational Health and Safety teams to facilitate 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.
In his remarks, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, described the onboarding of the Corps’ personnel onto the scheme as a strategic step towards strengthening their welfare and protection.
Audi, who was represented by the Deputy Commandant General, Technical Services, DCG Ibrahim Ningi, said the partnership was an important milestone in institutional co-operation and would ensure that personnel benefited from the provisions of the Employees’ Compensation Act.
He noted that NSCDC personnel were routinely exposed to occupational hazards and injuries in the discharge of their responsibilities, making their welfare and safety a priority.
He said the sensitisation programme would equip Insurance Desk Officers with the knowledge required to understand the scheme, registration and onboarding procedures, claims processing and reporting obligations.
The Commandant General urged participants to apply the knowledge acquired in their respective commands and formations, while directing relevant officers to maintain accurate personnel records and ensure timely submission of required information.
He stressed the need to move beyond sensitisation to actual implementation, ensuring that all eligible personnel were registered and could access the benefits of the scheme.
Audi expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen the Corps’ personnel welfare system and contribute to a more motivated, secure and productive workforce.
