Lagos backs NSITF, moves to fully implement Employees’ Compensation Scheme

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By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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ABUJA — THE Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, has declared its readiness to support the Lagos State Government in establishing the institutional framework for full implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme [ECS] in the state.

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Managing Director/Chief Executive of NSITF, Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, made this known when he led his management team on a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, on Thursday.

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Faleye said the visit was to create a clear and structured pathway for ECS implementation in Lagos, assuring that NSITF was prepared to provide technical onboarding and advisory support, sensitisation across MDAs, LGAs and public institutions, as well as claims processing, compensation administration and occupational safety and health interventions.

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To sustain momentum, he urged the state to identify a lead coordinating ministry or office, nominate a focal person or technical desk, and agree to a joint technical session within two weeks.

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Acknowledging the strategic importance of Lagos, he noted its large and diverse workforce, multiple MDAs and LGAs, and strong administrative and payroll systems, adding that the initiative aligns with key pillars of the THEMES+ Agenda in governance, economic sustainability, and health and environment.

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Faleye explained that the Employees’ Compensation Scheme offers structured protection for workers in cases of workplace injury, disease, disability or death, provides a framework for managing employer liabilities, and strengthens occupational safety standards.

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He proposed a coordination structure featuring: a designated coordinating authority as the state’s anchor for ECS, a technical focal person or desk to interface with NSITF on data collation, employer compliance and operational coordination, and a joint technical working framework to drive workforce data mapping, onboarding design and contribution modelling.

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Faleye also advised Lagos to embed NSITF compliance into existing state processes such as contract bidding, contractor prequalification and public procurement, saying this would reinforce the governance pillar of THEMES+ by ensuring that organisations dealing with the state meet minimum worker protection standards.

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Responding, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, commended NSITF for the initiative and announced the state’s approval of the full implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, including the creation of a dedicated unit to manage the scheme.

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