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“SGF assures action on compulsory employer compensation for all MDAs
Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has assured that the mandatory one percent deduction from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs) as workers’ contributions to the Employee Compensation of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) will be given every necessary attention.
Recall that the Extraordinary Session of Federal Executive Council of President Buhari had on May 15, 2023 gave approval for one percent mandatory deductions from the source of the MDAs emoluments as Employee Compensation contributions, with retroactive effect from January 2023.
Senator Akume who gave the assurance Tuesday, during a courtesy visit on him by the Executive and Management of the NSITF led by its Managing Director, Barr. Maureen Allagoa, said the NSITF is a critical agency of government that should be assisted to discharge its enormous responsibilities to the Nigerian workers. He noted that the organisation has a lot to offer to the workers in the public and private sectors, adding that its crucial roles in rehabilitating injured workers as well as several benefits extended to families of workers who die in the course of work, explains its pivotal place in the world of work.
A statement by Nwachukwu Godson, General Manager Corporate Affairs NSFITF, which was sent to Nationwide Reports quoted Akume to have said- “I have a fair knowledge of what you do because my friend and colleague at that time (last administration) the former Minister of Labour, used to talk to me about the fund and its challenges. It was on the basis of his presentation that the decision to deduct 1% from the MDAs was taken. This is a matter for implementation. I have already minuted to the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office to attach some of these conclusions to enable me take action.
“This organisation (NSITF) has a lot to offer, too much to offer to the Nigerian workers in both private and public sectors of the economy. The injuries suffered by workers in the private sector and in the public sector are such that if you don’t come to their aide, they might be crippled for life.
“It is therefore a matter for concern that this (1% deductions from the MDAs) has not yet been implemented but given the fact that this was only concluded in May 2023, you understand why we are yet to act on this. There were so many conclusions towards the end of the tenure of the last administration and I believe this was done in good faith, and so, we treat it on its own merit. I hence thank and assure that you will hear from us as soon as the cabinet affairs office concludes what I asked them to do.”
Earlier in her address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the NSITF, Barr. Allagoa acquainted Senator Akume with the history, achievements and challenges of the Fund, sought the assistance of the SGF towards the implementation of the compulsory employee compensation for all public servants as approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2023.
She was accompanied during the visit by the Executive Director Administration, Prof. Gabriel Okenwa, Executive Director, Operations, Modu Gana, Executive Director, Finance, Adegoke Adedeji as well General Manager, Social Security, Christian Uduaghan, General Manager Compliance, Kabiru Maji and General Manager, Finance, Zwalda Ponkap.
She said, “ the NSITF since 2010 has registered 14, 000 employers which translates to over 7.4 million employees, majorly from the organised private sector. We are also currently making inroads into the informal sector but seriously handicapped in the public sector despite the FEC approval of May 15, 2023, authorising the implementation of Employee’s Compensation for all public servants through a compulsory one percent deduction from the source of emoluments of the MDAs.
“We are yet to achieve the implementation of this approval that is key to the fundamental repositioning of the Fund. This same FEC approval gives a directive for a universal implementation of the compensation scheme across all tiers of government by directing the Attorney General of the Federation(AGF) to liaise with the Attorney Generals in the thirty-six states of the Federation towards achieving this.
“Contained in the same FEC approval also, is the directive to the Minister of Finance that all the shortfalls of the backlog owed by the MDAs from 2012 to 2023 be deducted and paid to the NSITF.”
Mrs. Allagoa also stated that the management of the Fund is steadfast to the fulfilment of the aims and objectives of the organisation.
“ Between 2011 and July 2023, the NSITF has paid a total of 99,678 claims under various contingencies of death, medical expenses, disability and retirement benefits as well as further treatment among others like protheses which have been given to hundreds of injured workers – all totalling over N6 billion. In the first and second quarters of 2023 alone, the fund has paid about 8,000 claims.
“ For example Your Excellency, we currently have a worker who died in the course of work and whose family is being paid N1,350,000 monthly, which is 90% of the deceased salary. The payment will continue till 2038 when the his last son will be twenty-one years old in line with our establishing act.”
“ We also didn’t lose sight of the welfare of our staff. We have reviewed the condition of service last done in 2004 as well as reviewed the salary structure that has been in use since ten years ago to improve the lots of our workforce and boost their morale .
“We are currently digitising our processes to enthrone transparency and accountability as well as ease the operation of these processes for customers and staff members.
She further commended Senator Akume on a well-deserved appointment and highlighted his immense contributions to the growth of the nation.
Yola, Osubi and Owerri airports have been successfully certified to the NiMet’s quality management system ISO 9001:2015 scope for the provision of Aeronautical Meteorological services to the Aviation industry.
The certification was a result of the directive by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, to the DG/CEO Nigerian Meteorological Agency Professor Charles Anosike to “ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and continuous upward movement of Nigeria’s rating by WMO and ICAO.
This feat was achieved after a successful third-party audit of NiMet’s products and services offered to airlines at these airports by Certech Inc. Canada.
NiMet’s services were found to be in conformity with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 standard after a rigorous audit that lasted from the 20th – 23rd July 2026.
It is noteworthy that NiMet was also successfully recertified to the ISO 9001:2015 standard at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja, Aminu Kano International Airport, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Enugu International Airport and the Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa.
The ISO certification is valid for three (3) years period with a yearly surveillance and maintenance audit until the next recertification due date in the year 2029.
Thus, this latest achievement of a revised certification by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) of ISO 9001:2015 for the provision of meteorological services to the aviation industry for eight Nigerian international airports namely: Akanu lbiam lnternational Airport Enugu; Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano; Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa, Port Harcourt; Yola Modibbo Adama International Airport; Sam Mbakwe International Airport Owerri and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, should be applauded.
In a letter to the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Professor Charles Anosike, dated July 26, 2026, with the heading ‘ISO 9001:2015’, and signed by Frank Strohmeier, Lead Auditor and Director at Certech, the certification agency noted as follows; ‘The audit objectives for the surveillance audit were achieved. A systematic process audit was performed with emphasis on risks and objectives per ISO 9001:2015’.
Accordingly, the 3rd party audit by Certech Inc. Canada resulted in the issuance of a revised certificate that states: ‘The Nigerian Meteorological Agency quality management system conforms to the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 for the provision of meteorological services to the aviation industry’.
It is noteworthy that this feat was achieved successfully at the very first time NiMet’s AeroMet products and services at Yola, Osubi and Owerri Airports were being audited for certification to the ISO 9001:2015.
Prof. Charles Anosike, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet said: “We are excited about this. Our Quality Management System (QMS) team led by Rotimi Adenubi have been working round the clock to achieve this feat.
“We are not stopping here as management is focused on overall improvement of standards at all our operational locations”.
The management of Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, has apologised to passengers following disruptions to its flight operations in Lagos and Abuja airports as a result of an ongoing industrial action by organised labour unions.
The airline said members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, barricaded the entrances to its departure terminals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, comprising the Alpha and Zulu Terminals and Terminal 2 in Lagos.
The blockade also affected access to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport terminal in Abuja, preventing scheduled flights from departing from both cities.
The statement by the airline’s management reads: “The ongoing industrial action has resulted in the barricading of the entrances to our departure terminals at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Alpha and Zulu Terminals) and Terminal 2 in Lagos, as well as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal in Abuja.
“The blockade has restricted access to these terminals, preventing the departure of scheduled flights from Lagos and Abuja. Consequently, passengers scheduled to travel across our network have been significantly affected by the disruption to flight operations.
“Air Peace sincerely apologises to all affected and stranded passengers for the disruption and inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control. Passengers scheduled to travel later today are being contacted and provided with relevant updates as the situation evolves.”
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The The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the security agencies to arrest and Islamic cleric, Shiekh Yahya jingir over what the Commission described as inflammatory remarks capable of triggering crisis that could lead to abuse of rights of citizens.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, while condemning the remarks which is circulating on social media, said it was not only divisive and inviting but has potential to compromise peaceful life in communities across the country.
In a statement Tuesday signed by Hajoa Fatimah Mohammed Agwai, Director, Public Affairs and External Linkages,the NHRC boss described the statements as a direct attack on the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and peaceful coexistence guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
“The Commission finds these remarks to be hate speech and incitement to religious hatred and potential violence. At a time when we are preparing for another general election, such utterances are reckless and dangerous. They serve no purpose other than to divide Nigerians along religious lines and set citizens against one another,” the Executive Secretary stated.
“We cannot afford to look away. If we fail to speak and act now, we embolden both Christian and Muslim clerics and other influential persons to make worse statements in the coming months. That path leads only to crisis,” he added.
In view of the foregoing, the Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria called on the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services and other relevant authorities to immediately arrest and prosecute Sheikh Yahaya Jingir for hate speech and incitement.
Prosecution must proceed irrespective of status or political affiliation in order to serve as a deterrent to others who may seek to exploit religion for political gain during this election period.
The Learned Silk further called on all religious leaders, traditional rulers, and politicians to refrain from divisive rhetoric. He urged Nigerians to reject identity politics and to hold leaders accountable based on competence, service delivery, and respect for human rights.
“The Commission will continue to monitor compliance and will engage with security agencies, INEC, and civil society to ensure that the 2027 elections are free from hate and violence”, he concluded.
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