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From Bimbola Oyesola
Managing director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barrister Olúwaseun Falaye, has inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the International Social Security Services Association (ISSSA) West Africa Technical Seminar 2026, setting the tone for what he described as a landmark regional engagement.
The inauguration ceremony held at the NSITF Board Room in Abuja, formally kick-starting preparations for the high-level seminar expected to draw social security experts from across West Africa and beyond.
Speaking at the event, Falaye said the inauguration marked “an important step in our collective preparations for a seminar of strategic significance, not only to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, but to the broader agenda of strengthening social security systems across West Africa.”
He charged members of the LOC to approach their assignment with utmost seriousness, stressing that hosting such a prestigious regional forum was both an honour and a responsibility for Nigeria.
The NSITF boss said the theme of the seminar — “Improving Inclusiveness and Accessibility of Social Security Services through Effective Communication in West Africa” — speaks directly to the realities confronting social security institutions in the sub-region.
“As social security institutions, our mandate goes beyond policy and administration,” Falaye said. “It extends to ensuring that our services are understood, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all segments of society, particularly the vulnerable and underserved.”
He explained that the seminar is designed to advance this mandate by leveraging digitalisation and promoting innovative communication strategies tailored to the West African context.
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According to him, discussions will also focus on the use of digital and mobile technologies as tools for expanding social security coverage and bridging gaps in access to services.
Falaye added that the forum would provide “a valuable platform for experience-sharing, peer learning, and the exchange of best practices among social security experts and institutions across the sub-region.”
On expected outcomes, the NSITF managing director expressed optimism that the deliberations would lead to concrete gains. “This seminar will deepen our collective understanding of digital transformation in social security administration, strengthen regional collaboration, and generate practical, actionable recommendations for extending coverage in West Africa,” he said.
He further outlined direct benefits for Nigeria and the NSITF, including enhanced networking with regional and international partners and the opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s leadership in social security development.
Emphasising the importance of the assignment before the LOC, Falaye urged committee members to demonstrate dedication, professionalism, and teamwork in the discharge of their duties.
“I have every confidence in your ability to deliver,” he told the committee, encouraging them to remain committed and to embrace team spirit as preparations intensify.
The ISSSA West Africa Technical Seminar 2026 is scheduled to hold on April 25, 2026, in Abuja, positioning the Nigerian capital as a hub for regional dialogue on social protection and inclusion.
The event is expected to bring together social security service experts, policymakers, and development partners from across West Africa and beyond, reinforcing Nigeria’s role at the forefront of regional social security reform.
