In a decisive move to reinforce social protection and institutional accountability, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, on Thursday paid a strategic courtesy visit to the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, at the Government House in Jalingo.
Held on February 26, 2026, the high-level engagement went beyond ceremonial formalities. It formed part of a deliberate institutional drive to build structured partnerships with forward-looking state governments committed to enhancing workers’ welfare and strengthening governance systems.
Central to discussions was the effective implementation and expansion of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS). Addressing the Governor and senior state officials, Faleye emphasized that the Scheme is not merely a statutory requirement but a critical social protection mechanism that preserves dignity for workers and stability for employers.
“When a worker is injured, disabled, or loses his life in the course of duty, the response of the government defines public trust and reinforces confidence in leadership,” he stated.
Faleye commended Governor Kefas for his administration’s welfare-focused agenda, noting that expanding ECS coverage aligns with the state’s commitment to safeguarding its workforce. He stressed, however, that attention must now shift from policy dialogue to measurable, time-bound implementation outcomes.
To advance this objective, Faleye proposed practical measures to expand ECS compliance across state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), intensify sensitization among major employers and contractors operating within Taraba, and strengthen awareness of workplace safety and compensation obligations statewide.
For structured coordination and accountability, he recommended the designation of a focal ministry or official to interface with the Fund and proposed the immediate establishment of a joint technical team to develop a short implementation roadmap within weeks. He disclosed that the Fund has instituted an internal Strategic Inter-Agency Coordination (SIAC) framework to monitor timelines and deliverables arising from such engagements.
Highlighting the broader institutional benefits of enhanced ECS compliance, Faleye noted that robust implementation would protect workers, reduce employers’ litigation exposure, promote industrial harmony, and further institutionalize structured social protection.
In a forward-looking policy recommendation, he advocated integrating the ECS Compliance Certificate into Taraba State’s public procurement and contracting processes. Under this framework, companies bidding for state contracts, seeking project pre-qualification, renewing contractor registration, or entering public-private partnerships would be required to provide proof of NSITF compliance. He clarified that this would reinforce existing statutory obligations rather than create new ones, ensuring that companies benefiting from public funds also uphold worker protection standards.
At the close of the engagement, Faleye sought clarity on the state’s preferred coordination structure and formally conferred on Governor Kefas the title of Ambassador and Advocate of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme in Taraba State and the Northeast region.
In his response, Governor Kefas warmly welcomed the delegation and affirmed Taraba State’s readiness to fully key into the Scheme for the benefit of its workforce. He confirmed that the state would work through the Office of the Head of Service, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Local Government to ensure seamless implementation.
The Governor also highlighted recent strides in pension administration, revealing that the state had disbursed ₦5 billion to pensioners and expressing optimism that outstanding entitlements would be cleared before year’s end.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the ECS mandate, Governor Kefas pledged full compliance with all statutory obligations. Demonstrating immediate resolve, he approved the constitution of a high-powered committee to interface with the NSITF and accelerate the state’s path toward comprehensive compliance.
The meeting concluded on a note of strategic alignment and shared responsibility, marking a significant milestone in deepening institutional collaboration and embedding structured social protection across Taraba State and the wider Northeast region.
