The National Assembly has pledged to intensify efforts toward ensuring full implementation and compliance with the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) across federal, state, and local government levels.
This resolution emerged as a major outcome of a two-day strategic retreat held for the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity. The retreat, which took place in Lagos from August 4 to 5, 2025, was organised by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
In a communiqué issued at the end of the retreat, lawmakers underscored their commitment to championing the ECS across the country.
The document was jointly signed by Senator Diket Satso Plang, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity; Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Labour; Dr. Olushola Olofin, Chairman of the NSITF Board; and Mr. Oluwaseun Mayomi Faleye, Managing Director/Chief Executive of NSITF.
According to the communiqué, federal lawmakers resolved to engage directly with state governors and local government chairmen to ensure that all tiers of government are enrolled and compliant with the provisions of the ECS. This effort aims to significantly expand the scheme’s coverage and foster a culture of workplace safety and compensation for injured workers.
The statement read in part: “The Senators and Members of the House of Representatives shall actively engage their respective state governors and local government chairmen to ensure full participation and compliance with the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, thereby expanding its coverage nationwide.
Additionally, the lawmakers shall work in synergy with their counterparts on appropriation committees to ensure that adequate funding for ECS contributions is provided in the annual budgets of all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).”
As part of capacity-building measures, the communiqué also outlined plans to train NSITF’s Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) officers. These officers will receive focused training on digital reporting systems and compliance monitoring tools, in order to improve workplace safety oversight and facilitate real-time data-driven decision-making.
“This initiative will promote a proactive approach to workplace accident prevention, improve reporting standards, and enhance compliance monitoring,” the document added.
In another resolution, the National Assembly assured the NSITF of its full backing, both through legislative instruments and through collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. The lawmakers pledged to support the fund in strengthening its operational efficiency and achieving the goals of the ECS.
Furthermore, the NSITF’s leadership committed to aligning the fund’s governance and operational procedures with international best practices, particularly the International Social Security Association (ISSA) guidelines. This, they said, will ensure enhanced transparency, accountability, and improved performance across all areas of its operations.
The retreat also recommended convening a stakeholders’ forum on the pending amendment bill for the NSITF and ECS laws. This engagement, to be held before the scheduled public hearing, is seen as a vital step in fortifying Nigeria’s social security framework and boosting national labour productivity.
Participants at the retreat lauded the NSITF for what they described as “remarkable progress” in the administration of the scheme. According to them, there has been a significant increase in the number of employers registered under the ECS in the past year—a development that reflects heightened awareness and improved compliance nationwide.
They also observed a dramatic rise in the volume of claims processed and paid during the current reporting period—more than double the figures recorded in previous years. While this indicates greater administrative efficiency, it also points to a rise in reported workplace incidents, underlining the need for intensified prevention efforts.