NSITF, Gambia Deepen Social Security Partnership After One-Week Abuja Study Tour

"The relationship between both institutions marks "the beginning of an even stronger partnership," stressing that both organisations share the common objective of advancing social protection and improving the welfare of workers in the sub-region." Faleye

.... Says "the study tour provided an opportunity for both institutions to exchange ideas on institutional governance, policy evolution, employer compliance, contribution assessment and the use of technology to improve transparency and accountability."

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has pledged sustained technical support and knowledge sharing with the Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund (IICF) of The Gambia, signalling a stronger regional partnership aimed at improving workers' welfare and social protection across West Africa.

The commitment was made at the close of a one-week study tour by the Board of the Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund (IICF), Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) of The Gambia to the NSITF in Abuja.

Managing Director/Chief Executive of NSITF, Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, represented by the Executive Director (Administration), Barr. Samaila Abdu, said the collaboration would extend beyond the study visit.

He assured the Gambian delegation that the Fund would continue to provide technical guidance, share operational experience and support reforms aimed at strengthening employment injury compensation and social security administration.

According to him, the relationship between both institutions marks "the beginning of an even stronger partnership," stressing that both organisations share the common objective of advancing social protection and improving the welfare of workers in the sub-region.

Faleye noted that the study tour provided an opportunity for both institutions to exchange ideas on institutional governance, policy evolution, employer compliance, contribution assessment and the use of technology to improve transparency and accountability.

He said discussions also covered claims administration, compensation delivery, rehabilitation, return-to-work programmes, actuarial planning and research, while participants were introduced to the Employees Compensation Scheme Application (ECSA), which has enhanced efficiency and service delivery within the Fund.

The NSITF boss added that both organisations agreed that effective social security administration requires continuous innovation, learning and collaboration, revealing that the Gambian agency had invited NSITF to undertake a reciprocal visit to witness its reform efforts.

Responding, leader of the Gambian delegation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Employment, Lamine Camara, described the visit as highly rewarding and expressed the country's readiness to deepen cooperation with NSITF.

Camara said The Gambia intends to leverage Nigeria's experience to strengthen its social security system, particularly in research, capacity building and operational efficiency, while reiterating an invitation for NSITF officials to visit the country.

He expressed confidence that the partnership would deliver mutual benefits and further strengthen social security administration across the West African region.