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Employee Compensation: NSITF to go tough on non-compliant agencies
By Bonaventure Melah
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, said it would soon embark on serious enforcement of the laws empowering it to get government agencies and private business owners enroll their workers on the Employee Compensation Scheme, ECS.
Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, the Managing Director of NSITF, stated this on Wednesday at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja, during the official launch of the Fund’s Comprehensive Enlightenment and Enrolment Campaign which is aimed at getting more organisations, especially the private sector, to enroll in the Scheme.
Faleye said the new management of NSITF under his leadership is not happy that some employers, are reluctant to embrace ECS, which is aimed at ensuring that workers enjoy protection at work and compensation in case of accident.
He condemned some state governments and local government authorities that have not keyed into the ESC but praised Lagos state and others that have fully embraced the Scheme.
According to Barrister Faleye, his management has concluded arrangements to engage with the National Assembly in ensure that the laws establishing NSITF are strengthened to enable the agency have unhindered access to government offices and private business premises to for inspections and enforcement of laws, as according to him, Nigerian workers deserve better working condition and compensation from their employers than what they are getting currently.
He called on owners of media establishments to enroll in the ECS, in view of the risks journalists face in the course of their duties and solicited the support of the media in the Fund’s renewed determination to carry out massive enlightenment campaigns aimed at sensitizing both employers and employees on the need to embrace the Scheme, noting that the NSITF laws cover all agencies, with exception of the Armed Forces.
Faleye said he is committed to running open and transparent administration and called on journalists to put their eyes on all aspects of the Fund’s activities, by asking questions where necessary, in order to ensure transparency and accountability.
“We at NSITF recognize your role as the bride between our policies and the people. You are therefore critical stakeholders in our drive for advocacy, enlightenment and sensitization of government agencies, employers and workers,” Faleye told journalists at the events, adding that one of the reasons for the programme was, “To meet you so that we can put faces to the names we have been seeing on the reports on NSITF.”
Faleye said further that, “We have decided to engage resources in bringing awareness to the public, especially workers to understand their rights and obligations, in appreciation of the critical role of traditional and new media, reposition NSITF for effective leadership and impact.”
Earlier, while welcoming participants to the event, the Deputy General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Alexandra Mede, praised the new management of NSITF led by Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye for the reforms and innovations introduced within the short period of his stay so far.
She said that with the coming of Barrister Faleye, “NSITF has embarked on a transformative journey,” using digital platforms, adding that his management has already settled 103 while artisans, traders and others in the private sector, have been brought into the Scheme.
In a closing remark, Prof. Gabriel Okenwna, the Executive Director, Administration, praised Barrister Faleye for his leadership drive which he said has led to improved welfare of workers and better working relationship with organized labour at the Fund, adding that the new management came up with the idea of quarterly media parley, to demonstrate its openness; and to solicit the support of journalists in enlightening the public on the activities of NSITF.
The General Manager, Claims and Compensation, the General Manager, Legal and some other management staff of NSITF also attended the event.
….The Commission wants IGP to address use of excessive force by police
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN, has strongly condemned the alleged extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old Nigerian, Mene Ogidi, by a police officer, ASP Nuhu Usman, on April 26, 2026, in Efurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Dr. Ojukwu described the incident as “deeply disturbing and a direct assault on human dignity, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the rule of law.”
He stressed that no Nigerian should lose their life at the hands of those sworn to protect them, reiterating that every life matters and must be protected.
According to him, “the reported action of the officer involved is condemnable, unacceptable, and completely inconsistent with the principles of justice and a civilized society.”
The statement which was signed by Hajia Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, quoted Ojukwu to have expressed grave concern over the recurring incidents of excessive use of force by law enforcement officers and called on the Nigeria Police Force to take urgent and decisive steps to address the issue.
He specifically urged the police authorities to subject officers deployed on special duties to periodic mental and psychological evaluations to ensure they are fit to carry arms and engage with civilians responsibly.
Dr. Ojukwu further called for the immediate disciplinary action against ASP Nuhu Usman in line with extant laws and police regulations.
He also emphasized the need for the Nigeria Police Force to fully implement the recommendations of the Commission’s Panel on Police Brutality as a necessary step toward meaningful reform and prevention of future violations.
“The Commission demands immediate arrest and a transparent investigation into the incident, dismissal of the officer involved, and swift prosecution in accordance with the law.
We hereby call for adequate compensation and justice for the family of the victim,” he stated.
He warned that justice delayed only deepens public distrust in state institutions and undermines confidence in law enforcement.
The Executive Secretary assured that the NHRC will continue to monitor the case closely and will persist in its advocacy for accountability, justice, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Nigerians.
“Nigeria must never normalize brutality. Justice must speak louder than silence,” he concluded.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
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