ISSA 2026: Falaye Sounds Alarm as Nigeria Pushes for Stronger, Inclusive Social Protection System
Amid shifting labour dynamics and a rapidly expanding population, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Oluwaseun Falaye, has declared that the demand for a more responsive and resilient social protection system in Nigeria is no longer optional—but inevitable.
Speaking at the 2026 West Africa Technical Seminar of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) in Abuja, Falaye set the tone for urgent reforms, linking Nigeria’s demographic surge and evolving labour market to the growing pressure on social security institutions.
He stated that, “the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, under the Employees’ Compensation Act of 2010, carries a statutory responsibility to provide protection against work-related injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities, and death. This mandate is not theoretical. It is about real people, real risks, and real consequences for families and communities.
“Nigeria’s context makes these conversations particularly urgent. With a large and youthful population, a dynamic labour market, and one of the largest informal economies in Africa, the demand for responsive and strong social protection systems is undeniable”.
At the heart of NSITF’s response, Falaye revealed, is a deliberate shift toward digital transformation aimed at improving efficiency and restoring public trust.
He explained that, “At NSITF, we have come to recognise that delivering on this mandate in today’s environment requires deliberate transformation.
“Over the years, we have embarked on a progressive digital journey, moving away from fragmented, paper-based processes toward more integrated systems that enhance integrity, improve service delivery, and strengthen public confidence. We are investing in platforms that support faster claims processing, improved data management, stronger actuarial planning, and more transparent engagement with employers and beneficiaries.
“At the same time, we remain clear-eyed about the challenges. Digital transformation is not a one-off project; it is a continuous process that demands skills, governance, cybersecurity, and above all, institutional culture. This is why gatherings such as this Technical Session are invaluable. They allow us to learn from one another, to adapt tested solutions, and to avoid costly missteps”.
The ISSA forum, he noted, provides a critical platform for collaboration and shared learning among social security institutions across the region and beyond.
Falaye added that “the ISSA has long provided a vital platform for this exchange. Through its standards, guidelines, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms, it has helped social security institutions navigate complexity with confidence. We are deeply grateful for the trust reposed in Nigeria and in NSITF to host this session, and we do not take that trust lightly.
“It is with profound honour, deep humility, and genuine pleasure that I welcome you all to Abuja, Nigeria, for the 2026 ISSA West Africa Technical Session. On behalf of the Board, Management, and staff of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, I extend our warmest greetings to our distinguished colleagues and partners who have travelled from across West Africa and beyond to be part of this important gathering. Welcome to Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital and centre of unity”.
Positioning the gathering as more than a routine conference, he urged participants to see themselves as partners in a shared mission to strengthen social security systems across West Africa.
“Nigeria welcomes you not merely as delegates, but as partners in a collective mission. In our diversity of language, culture, and institutional experience, we are united by a common purpose: to ensure that social security systems remain relevant, responsive, and worthy of the trust placed in them by the people we serve. You are most welcome, and you are truly at home.
“This gathering represents an important moment of continuity within the ISSA West Africa family. Many of us will recall that in 2025, our colleagues in the Republic of Guinea graciously hosted the annual Technical Session of the ISSA West Africa Region in Conakry. The discussions were open and deeply reflective of our common realities, coverage gaps, informality, financing pressures, and the accelerating pace of change in the world of work”.
Drawing on global perspectives, Falaye referenced insights from ISSA leadership to reinforce the need for innovation-driven governance.
“According to Mr. Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano, Secretary General of the ISSA, social security systems do not earn public confidence merely by adopting technology, but by using innovation to strengthen governance, expand inclusion, and uphold human dignity.
“It is therefore fitting that this session sits at the intersection of both experiences: firmly grounded in the realities of West Africa, yet informed by the global insights and strategic directions discussed at the World Social Security Forum”.
He stressed that the seminar’s theme—centred on accessibility, effectiveness, inclusiveness, and digitization—goes beyond theory and must translate into measurable outcomes.
“Our theme speaks directly to this moment These are not abstract ideals. They are practical measures of whether our institutions can keep pace with the changing lives and livelihoods of the people we exist to protect.
“Accessibility challenges us to rethink how services reach workers whose employment falls outside traditional structures. Effectiveness demands that benefits are delivered promptly, transparently, and predictably… Inclusiveness requires that women, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, and those in informal and non-standard forms of work are not treated as marginal, but as central to our mandate. Digitisation offers powerful tools in this regard, but only when guided by sound policy, institutional discipline, and a clear commitment to fairness.
“Over these two days, I encourage us to engage openly and constructively… Above all, let us ensure that our discussions translate into actions that improve outcomes for workers and employers across our region”.
According to the Honourable Minister, “The theme not only reminds us that social security is not merely a safety net, but a fundamental pillar for social justice, industrial harmony and sustainable economic growth.
“In a rapidly changing world defined by technological advancements, the expansion of the informal sector and evolving employment relationships, the urgency to adapt and strengthen our social protection systems cannot be overemphasised”.
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