General News
NSITF’s Rehabilitation Programme: Restoring Hope, Life, and Dignity to Injured Workers
By Emmanuel Ulayi
40-year old Taiwo Adebola bade his young family goodbye as he left for work on a Tuesday morning in June 2024. His wife, Shade, reminded him to send her the two thousand Naira needed to process her online registration for employment with a government agency.
However, the call she received next destabilized all plans. Her husband laid in the hospital bed, severely injured in a road accident just a few metres to his office. She borrowed money from a neighbour, made arrangements for a neighbour to help pick her toddlers from kindergarten and rushed to the hospital. Thus began a harrowing experience.
For the next six months, she juggled between home, school, and the hospital. She missed the deadline for the online application she had planned on making and missed two more job interviews.
Taiwo operated the paper-cutting machine at a small printing outfit. But with the loss of his left hand, he could no longer carry on his duty after he was discharged from hospital. With the wife unemployed and two children to care for, he turned to friends and family for help since what little investment he had vanished in the course of treatment. With time, it was proving increasingly difficult getting any bailout from them.
Then came hope! Hassan, Taiwo’s boss recollected he had grudgingly registered his company into the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) run by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) only to fulfill requirements for getting grade “C” printing contracts from government offices. He wasn’t fully aware of the full benefits of the Scheme until an NSITF employee, learning of Taiwo’s situation, enlightened Hassan about them.
After he was assisted to file for claims, the Fund reimbursed Taiwo four million Naira (N4, 000, 000) for his medical expenses, compensated the company for loss of productivity, and paid a lump sum of one million, six hundred and fifty thousand Naira (1,650, 000) to Taiwo’s as salary backlog.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the NSITF, Barrister Olúwaṣeun Faleye, while presenting the cheques to Taiwo, stated that Fund “will continue to pay Taiwo 80% of his monthly salary until he attains the age of fifty five.”
Taiwo is just one of the roughly 2.4 million workers globally who suffer work-related accidents per annum according to International Labour Organization’s (ILO) data.
Enter the Rehabilitation Programme of the Fund
NSITF did not leave it there, since his disability took away aptness to perform on the job he was doing prior to his accident, the Fund gave him another way to make a living.
Having received training as an auto diagnostic technician, Taiwo is optimistic about the future. “I now have a means of earning income. Modern cars often require computer diagnosis and most mechanics neither have the know-how nor the equipment to perform this. NSITF has given me both knowledge and equipment. The future is bright.”
The Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA 2010) established the ECS to provide just and adequate compensation for Nigerian workers who suffer: workplace injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities (temporary or permanent), or death arising out of the course of work.
Due to the efforts of the Oluwaseun Faleye-led Management team, Nigerians are now becoming increasingly aware of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme. However, not many are aware of the comprehensive rehabilitation programme as it was just onboarded mid 2025 by the new Management Team after almost one decade and a half of operating the ECA.
Work-related accidents, injuries, and diseases often leave the victim unable to continue working in their previous line. Compensations and medical treatment have their limits.
The goal of the rehabilitation programme is the restoration of productivity of workers who lost their ability to continue their work consequent upon work-related accidents, injuries, and diseases.
Mrs. Nkiru Ede-Ogunnaike, General Manager Claims and Compensation at the NSITF shed light on the operationalization of the rehabilitation programme.
According to her “Section 1(b) of the ECA 2010 mandates the Fund to provide rehabilitation to employees with work-related disabilities while Section 16(1) states that the Board may provide vocational rehabilitation, to get an injured employee back to work.”
Continuing, she explained that “The vocational rehabilitation programme is structured into three phases: orientation; vocational training, as well as empowerment and startup.”
“The phase one focuses on mindset reawakening, entrepreneurship, and psychological support, phase two provides practical hands-on training in a chosen vocation or skill while the third equips the beneficiary with start-up kits and empowerment for self-reliance.”
Ogunnaike listed some skills currently available under the rehabilitation programme to include: ICT and computer literacy, tailoring and fashion design, electrical works,
safety and health compliance, and auto-mechanics diagnostics.
Taiwo is not the only beneficiary of this NSITF Rehabilitation Programme. Fifty-six (56) other injured Nigerian workers have benefited from the programme since the Fund commenced running it July 2025.
Philip Anjour Terwase was trained in furniture making, Daniel Onah Imale, as an auto diagnostic engineer, and Nambour Ezekiel received training as a POS operator with all of them properly empowered and equipped to start their businesses.
Other beneficiaries of the programme include: Offor Kingsley Emeka, piggery; Emeka Okoro, foodstuff sales; Opara Lizzy, sales of hair attachment; Sani Mohammed, POS operator; and Ejeh Gabriel George, POS operator, amongst many others.
Another beneficiary, Kosoko who was trained and empowered to start a poultry, thanked NSITF Board and Management profusely. “This is a new lease of life for me. I didn’t know I would be on my feet again not to talk of owning my own poultry. I thought the compensations was all, but the new Management has helped me out. I thank them and hope they will continue to support us.”
Taiwo couldn’t hold back tears as he recollected a colleague who lost his hand to a cutting machine at work and now has to beg for his livelihood. He appreciated his boss, Hassan, for complying with the Employees’ Compensation Act.
Commenting further on the Rehabilitation Programme, Ogunnaike stated that the 57 beneficiaries were drawn from selected zones and promised that the programme would go national by the turn of 2026 to accommodate more beneficiaries.
The GM revealed that “adequate preparations have been made with over 800 employees of the Fund trained and ready to train,” adding that “beneficiaries of the programme are also trained to mentor new beneficiaries to create a multiplier effect.”
The programme has served to further create awareness on the Employees’ Compensation Scheme encouraging more employers to subscribe and provide social protection for their workers.
“I worked in a small scale enterprise and I have no pension. The rehabilitation programme of NSITF saved me from a life of shame and helped secure my children’s future,” Taiwo summed.
Since it’s commencement in the middle of this year, NSITF’s rehabilitation programme under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme has been a success story of restoration of hope and dignity for injured Nigerian workers and their dependents. It has continued to give new lease of life to people who otherwise would have faced a bleak future.
Besides, the humane programme has served as a promotional tool for the Employees’ Compensation Scheme of which it is a crucial component, perhaps, more than any other initiative. Furthermore, it reduces workers turnover for employees and boosts national productivity
Ulayi is a Principal Manager at NSITF
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, said his administration has concluded arrangement to shifting its focus toward industrial waste recycling to achieve a more sustainable and consistently clean capital city.
Wike revealed this during an inspection tour of various infrastructure projects in Abuja.
The FCT Minister argued that the current culture of monthly environmental sanitation is insufficient for the long-term needs of a modern city.
He added that the traditional Monthly Sanitation only provides a temporary facelift, it does not solve the root problem of waste accumulation.
”If you do it on a Saturday, that Saturday is clean.
“But for me, that is not a very major issue. Having a dump site is not enough for you to say that the problem is solved.”
He emphasized that true waste management is an industrial necessity rather than just a routine business task.
According to the Minister, the goal is to transition from merely collecting refuse to processing it through modern technnologies.
The Minister disclosed that the FCTA is looking to move beyond the use of landfills and dump sites by establishing specialized factories.
The vision is to turn Abuja’s waste into a resource by creating new products, aligning with global best practices.
The FCTA is already receiving and reviewing offers from experts who have successfully implemented these systems in other global cities.
In addition to waste management, the Minister provided updates on critical infrastructure projects slated for inauguration during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third year in office.
Wike expressed high satisfaction with the Judges’ residences, describing the work by Gilmor as “beautiful” and “99% ready.”
He also inspected the N5 road project, which is 100% complete, and the Court of Appeal (Abuja Division).
While the Court of Appeal is 90% complete, the Minister was candid about his expectations for quality, ordering the contractor to correct several “errors” before the official commissioning.
Addressing recent criticisms regarding the executive’s role in building judicial residences, Wike dismissed claims that such projects erode judicial independence.
He pointed out the irony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) criticizing government-funded infrastructure while simultaneously accepting government sponsorship for their own activities and conferences.
”The mere fact that the executive constructs does not mean that that will lead to interference in the judiciary,” Wike stated, reaffirming that providing comfortable housing allows judges to stay focused on their work without compromise.
The Minister concluded by reiterating that the FCTA remains undeterred and focused on fulfilling its promises to the residents of Abuja through both physical infrastructure and innovative environmental solutions.
××××× Dedicates Award To FCT Residents
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has expressed profound gratitude following her recognition as the Minister of State of the Year at the 6th Edition of the Accolade Yellow Ball and Awards held at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Speaking while receiving the award as Guest of Honour at the prestigious event, Mahmoud described the honour as a reflection of the collective commitment and hard work of the entire Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the leadership of the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
The Minister noted that the recognition would further inspire her to continue contributing meaningfully to the development and transformation of the Federal Capital Territory in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She emphasized that leadership remains fundamentally about service, commitment, compassion, and creating opportunities that positively impact citizens.
Mahmoud dedicated the award to the resilient people of the FCT, particularly women, youths, and community leaders whose support and partnership continue to strengthen the administration’s resolve to deliver impactful governance.
According to her, the confidence reposed in the administration serves as a motivating force behind every policy and initiative being pursued.
She also commended the organizers of the Accolade Yellow Ball and Awards for sustaining a platform that promotes excellence, integrity, innovation, and outstanding public service, stressing that recognizing hard work and dedication is vital to building a culture of accountability and national progress.
The Minister further called on Nigerians to remain united and committed to nation-building, peace, and sustainable development, especially as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections.
She expressed optimism that through collective effort and patriotism, Abuja and Nigeria would continue to grow into places future generations would be proud of.
By Philip Nyam
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Oluwaseun Faleye, has underscored the role of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) in restoring hope and dignity to Nigerian workers who suffer injuries in the line of duty.
He made the remarks in Abuja during the presentation of prosthetic limbs to 10 beneficiaries of the scheme.
Represented by the General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mrs. Nkiru Ogunnike, the MD said the initiative continues to put smiles on the faces of injured workers by supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
According to him, the ECS goes beyond statutory compensation, reflecting a humane commitment to restoring confidence and preserving the dignity of workers affected by occupational hazards.
He noted that workplace accidents often result not only in physical injuries but also emotional trauma and uncertainty about the future.
Faleye explained that for many Nigerian workers, a single workplace incident can permanently alter the course of their lives.
He however said the intervention of the NSITF through the ECS provides a second chance for victims to rebuild their lives and regain independence.
Highlighting specific cases, he cited the experiences of two beneficiaries, Daniel Etim, a staff of University of Uyo Printing Press and Festus Opkara of Tower Aluminium Laos, as evidence of the scheme’s impact.
Daniel lost his arm in May 2024 after it was trapped in an industrial machine during a routine workday, an injury which led to amputation.
“However, through the intervention of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund as administrators of the ECS, Daniel received medical support, with his treatment expenses fully covered under the Scheme.
“Beyond the payment of medical bills, the Fund extended further rehabilitative support by providing him with a prosthetic arm, reaffirming its commitment not only to compensation but also to restoring dignity, confidence, and functionality to injured workers.
“Daniel’s story underscores the broader mandate of the Employee Compensation Scheme, a social protection mechanism designed to ensure that Nigerian workers who suffer workplace injuries, disabilities, occupational diseases, or death are not abandoned in moments of vulnerability,” the NSITF MD explained.
“Similar to Daniel’s is the story of Festus, whose workplace accident dates back to 2015. Having lost his hand in a workplace incident, Festus lived for years with the emotional burden that accompanied his physical condition.
“Beyond the trauma of the accident itself was the constant public attention, the quizzical looks, and the pitying stares that made social interactions difficult,” he stated, adding that “NSITF provided Festus with a silicone prosthetic hand, helping him regain not only physical confidence but also a renewed sense of inclusion and self-worth”.
Highlighting the significance of the ECS, the MD restated that “For beneficiaries like Daniel and Festus, the interventions of the NSITF have become more than institutional obligations; they represent hope, restoration, and reassurance that injured workers are not left to navigate tragedy alone”.
To the MD, these examples speak to a frequently overlooked dimension of workplace injuries: the psychological and emotional scars that persist long after physical wounds may have healed.
“These interventions highlight the critical role of the NSITF in implementing the Employee Compensation Scheme, which continues to serve as a vital safety net for Nigerian workers in both the public and private sectors”, he concluded.
While reflecting on how his life was transformed, one of the beneficiaries, Festus Okpara enthused: ‘I thank NSITF for coming all this way to help. At least with this (a silicone artificial hand), I can go out in public and feel free. NSITF has reduced the level of trauma'”.
It would be recalled that the ten beneficiaries were among the 78 who recently got fitted with artificial limbs in the ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration program of the NSITF.”
Benue 2027: Power Cohesion and the Race for Block Votes
Spread the loveBy Iorliam Shija The political dynamics ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Benue State are increasingly revealing...
FCTA to phase-out dump sites, embraces Waste Recycling To Ensure Cleaner Abuja
Spread the loveBy Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, said his administration has concluded arrangement to...
Mahmoud Bags Minister of State Award
Spread the love××××× Dedicates Award To FCT Residents By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja The Minister of State for the Federal Capital...
NDC Gives 4-year Presidential Ticket to Southern Nigeria
Spread the love–Nigeria is not a poor country; it is rooted in poverty by poor leadership –Obi–“I support the decision...
Benue SDP Guber Aspirant Prof Hon Promises Law, Order and Prosperity at Convention
Spread the loveBy Our Reporter Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Benue State gubernatorial aspirant under the Social Democratic Party...
NSITF restoring hope, dignity of workers through ECS, says MD Faleye
Spread the loveBy Philip Nyam The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Oluwaseun...
2027: How Kuraun’s Social Rebuilding Agenda Will Change Benue’s Political Direction
Spread the loveBy Philip Nyam At a time when insecurity, economic hardship and growing social frustration continue to define daily...
Former Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq, a Wanted Person–Says EFCC
Spread the loveBy Our Reporter The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has formally declared erstwhile Minister of Humanitarian Affairs,...
Sadiya Umar Farouq, a Wanted Person–EFCC
Spread the loveThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has formally declared erstwhile Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq,...
TETFund Splashes 271 Institutions With 411 Projects Across Nigeria
Spread the loveBy Son Tertsea, Abuja The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is to intervene in 271 institutions across Nigeria...