Labour Minister Applauds NSITF Reforms, Backs Nigeria-Gambia Social Insurance Alliance

..... As Dingyadi hail the growing partnership between Nigeria and The Gambia.

..... Says "collaboration between the two countries would promote the exchange of ideas and best practices to improve social protection for workers.

"Our compensation mechanism has improved, and a lot of digitisation is taking place to ensure claims are attended to promptly."

Nigeria's Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, has praised the ongoing reforms at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), describing the agency's transformation under the leadership of its Managing Director, Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, as a major boost to the administration of the Employees' Compensation Scheme.

Dingyadi gave the commendation on Monday while receiving a delegation from The Gambia's Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund of the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC), led by NSITF management, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kamil Shoretire, the minister said NSITF had recorded remarkable improvements through digitisation and reforms that have enhanced compensation processes and accelerated the settlement of claims.

He also hailed the growing partnership between Nigeria and The Gambia, stressing that collaboration between the two countries would promote the exchange of ideas and best practices to improve social protection for workers.

"Our compensation mechanism has improved, and a lot of digitisation is taking place to ensure claims are attended to promptly," he said, adding that both countries stood to benefit from sharing experiences in managing workers' compensation schemes.

Responding, NSITF Managing Director, Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, said the study tour reflected the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and The Gambia and underscored the importance of regional collaboration in strengthening social security systems.

Faleye noted that both countries face similar labour and demographic challenges, making knowledge sharing essential to improving workplace safety and compensation programmes across West Africa.

He recalled that officials from The Gambia participated in the International Social Security Association (ISSA) workshop hosted by NSITF earlier this year alongside delegates from several West African countries, adding that the current visit was a follow-up aimed at deepening technical cooperation.

According to him, the exchange is not one-sided, as both institutions have valuable experiences to share in addressing common challenges.

Leader of the Gambian delegation, Pierre Gomez, commended the transformation at NSITF, saying the agency had recorded significant progress since his last visit about a decade ago.

Describing Nigeria as The Gambia's "big brother," Gomez said the delegation was in the country to learn from NSITF's experience and adopt lessons that would strengthen workers' compensation administration back home.

Photos