The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) have jointly conducted a comprehensive workshop on the Group Life Assurance Policy for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Held in Abuja, the workshop was designed to enhance the understanding, implementation, and compliance of the Group Life Assurance scheme among public sector stakeholders. It marks a crucial step in bolstering employee protection under the existing Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
According to a statement released by NAICOM, the training is part of a broader initiative to ensure that all MDAs are fully compliant with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act, 2014, which mandates employers to maintain a life insurance policy in favour of each employee for a minimum of three times their annual emoluments.
Section 4(5) of the Act stipulates that this group life cover must be in place for all CPS-compliant employees, with the premium paid no later than the commencement date of the cover. This legal requirement has often been under-implemented, prompting NAICOM and the OHCSF to initiate hands-on stakeholder engagement and technical support for MDAs.
During the opening remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, represented by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Patience Oyekunle, emphasized the importance of insurance as a financial safety net for civil servants and their families. She praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for renewing the annuity policy, reinforcing its commitment to public sector welfare reforms.
“She commended NAICOM for organizing the training and stressed the need for all MDAs to prioritize the welfare of their workforce through insurance coverage,” the statement read.
The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, was represented by Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration, Mr. Ekerete Gam-Ikon. He acknowledged the importance of the inter-agency collaboration and reiterated NAICOM’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the enforcement of insurance policies.
Omosehin also noted that effective implementation of the group life assurance policy would not only protect the workforce but also enhance productivity and morale within the civil service.
The workshop provided practical insights into the operational framework of the Group Life Assurance scheme, including procedures for enrolment, claims processing, and the obligations of both employers and insurers. Participants were equipped with relevant tools and guidelines to facilitate policy compliance and employee access to benefits.
Industry observers hailed the development as a proactive measure to strengthen social protection for government employees amid rising economic uncertainties. With Nigeria’s public service employing over 1.2 million workers, the implementation of compulsory group life insurance is a significant social safety initiative.
Experts also stressed that beyond legal compliance, effective communication and sensitization—like the workshop—are critical to ensuring that civil servants understand their entitlements and can hold relevant agencies accountable.
Furthermore, stakeholders have called for regular monitoring, transparent claims settlements, and prompt premium remittances to avoid policy lapses that may hinder beneficiaries from accessing claims in the event of death.
As NAICOM and the OHCSF intensify efforts to enforce the group life insurance mandate, the initiative is expected to reduce dependency burdens on families of deceased workers and mitigate post-service financial distress.
The training aligns with the Federal Government’s wider reforms aimed at improving labour conditions, institutional efficiency, and the overall well-being of the public workforce.