The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Oluwaseun Faleye, has called for deeper institutional collaboration between the Fund and the Taraba State Government. This collaboration aims to strengthen the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.

Faleye made the call during a courtesy visit to Governor Agbu Kefas at the Government House in Jalingo yesterday.

He described the engagement as part of a deliberate strategy to build structured partnerships with state governments committed to workers’ welfare and institutional sustainability.

He emphasised that the Employees’ Compensation Scheme is not merely a statutory obligation but a critical social protection instrument that guarantees 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 government defines public trust and reinforces confidence in leadership,” Faleye said. He noted that expanding ECS coverage aligns with the governor’s welfare-driven agenda.

The NSITF boss stressed the need to move beyond dialogue to measurable outcomes.

He proposed practical steps to expand ECS compliance across state ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). He also suggested intensifying sensitisation of major employers and contractors operating in Taraba, and strengthening workplace safety and compensation awareness across the state.

To ensure structure and accountability, Faleye suggested the designation of a focal ministry or official to coordinate engagement with the NSITF.

“If it pleases Your Excellency, we can immediately set up a joint technical interface between your designated team and ours to develop a short implementation roadmap within the next few weeks. The Fund has already established an internal Strategic Inter-Agency Coordination framework to track timelines and deliverables arising from such engagements,” he said.

He highlighted the mutual benefits of strengthened ECS coverage. These include protection for workers, reduced litigation exposure for employers, promotion of industrial harmony, and reinforcement of structured social protection.

In a move aimed at institutionalising compliance, Faleye recommended integrating the ECS Compliance Certificate into the state’s public procurement and contracting processes.

He explained that requiring evidence of NSITF compliance for contract bidding, pre-qualification for state projects, contractor registration and renewal, and public-private partnership engagements would reinforce existing statutory requirements.

According to him, the approach would ensure that companies benefiting from public funds are compliant in protecting their workers.

Faleye also confirmed Governor Kefas as Ambassador for the Advocacy of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme in Taraba State and the North-East region.

Kefas assured that the state would key into the ECS for the benefit of workers.

“Taraba State Government is ready to partner with NSITF to ensure you fulfil your mandate by ensuring all workers are enrolled in the scheme. We will work through the Office of the Head of Service, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry for Local Government,” he said.

The governor noted that the state had recently paid N5 billion to pensioners. He expressed optimism that outstanding pension liabilities would be cleared before the end of the year.

“We will fulfil all obligations regarding the scheme in furtherance of our commitment to workers’ welfare,” he added.

On his confirmation as ECS advocacy ambassador, Kefas said he was willing to accept any assignment that would advance the mandate in the interest of the country and workers.

The governor subsequently set up a high-powered committee to interface with the NSITF. This committee will ensure that Taraba State achieves full compliance with the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.