By Joan Nwagwu
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) says it is strengthening welfare protection for Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel through its Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS).
The Managing Director of NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, gave the assurance on Wednesday at the sensitisation and onboarding ceremony of NSCDC personnel onto the scheme at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.
He said the scheme provides medical treatment, rehabilitation and compensation for work-related injuries, disabilities and occupational diseases, while eligible dependants receive benefits when personnel die in service.
“An institution entrusted with protecting the nation must therefore have a dependable system for protecting its own workforce.
“Those who protect our nation must themselves be protected. That is the principle that brings us together today,” he said.
“Most importantly, where an officer dies in the course of work, eligible dependants receive compensation, so that the family left behind does not bear the full financial burden of that loss alone,” he added.
Faleye commended the Commandant-General for initiating the partnership, noting that the Corps registered with NSITF on Aug. 23, 2024, and made provisions for the scheme in its 2026 budget.
He explained that the ECS, established under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010, provides compensation for work-related injuries, occupational diseases and disabilities, including benefits for eligible dependants of deceased employees.
He said the scheme was particularly relevant to NSCDC personnel, whose duties exposed them to occupational hazards while protecting critical national assets, infrastructure and lives.
“The Scheme provides practical protection against these risks. An officer who suffers a compensable workplace injury can access medical treatment, hospitalisation, medication and rehabilitation, including prosthetic and assistive devices where needed.
“It provides income support during temporary incapacity and statutory compensation for permanent partial or total disability,” he stated.
Faleye urged the Corps to establish designated ECS desks across its commands and appoint a central coordinating officer to facilitate injury reporting and claims administration.
He assured that NSITF would provide technical support through its Compliance, Claims and Compensation, and Occupational Health and Safety teams to facilitate onboarding and claims administration.
“Our commitment does not end with today’s ceremony; we intend to build a responsive and enduring partnership,” he said.
Faleye said the partnership’s success would be measured by timely assistance to injured officers and ensuring that no eligible personnel was excluded from benefits.
“Together, let us ensure that those who protect Nigeria are never left unprotected,” he said.
Dr Ahmed Audi, the Commandant-General of NSCDC represented by DCG Ibrahim Ningi, Deputy Commandant-General, Technical Services, described the onboarding as strategic to personnel welfare and protection, urging effective implementation of the scheme.
“This partnership represents an important step towards strengthening institutional cooperation and ensuring that our personnel benefit from the provisions of the Employees’ Compensation Act,” he said.
Audi said personnel faced occupational hazards through infrastructure protection, disaster management and emergency response, stressing that their welfare, safety and protection must remain priorities.
“Consequently, the welfare, safety and protection of our personnel must remain a priority.
“We recognise that the effectiveness of any security organisation is not determined solely by its operational capacity, but also by the extent to which it protects, motivates and provides adequate support for its workforce,” he stated.
He urged participants to apply the knowledge acquired, maintain accurate personnel records and ensure effective communication with NSITF to guarantee eligible officers access to benefits.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
