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FG makes NSITF’s ECS compulsory for public employees
The federal government has made it compulsory for all ministries, departments and agencies, to enroll public workers in the Employee’s Compensation Scheme, ESC.
The government’s directive came as the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, plans to commence service-wide sensitization of civil servants to ensure a seamless implementation of ECS in the federal civil service.
A statement by NSITF said these were part of the fallouts of its Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye-led management meeting with the Head of the Civil Service, HoCSF, Mrs. Esther Walson-Jack, in Abuja.
Mrs. Walson-Jack has also pledged full support to NSITF in ensuring that all public workers benefit from the ECS by partnering with the fund as it undertakes the sensitization campaign across the service.
Speaking, Mr. Faleye lauded the Head of Service’s welfare-centered initiatives and noted that the opportunity to serve on the Head of Service’s Committee for the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025 (FCSSIP2025) strengthened his resolve to ensure the implementation of the ECS in the federal civil service.
He pointed out that while other committee members focused on housing, health, and related matters, the NSITF remained committed to its core mandate — working to overcome the challenges hindering the service-wide implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, with the ultimate goal of enhancing social protection for federal civil servants.
Mr. Faleye said: “What was key for us during the strategy sessions under FCSSIP2025 was how to sustainably implement and expand existing initiatives that had yet to be fully executed, ensuring that these welfare programs truly benefit workers in terms of their well-being and social security.
“For us, it was essential to ensure that our core mandates were reflected in these discussions. We committed to doing everything within our sphere of influence to make those initiatives a reality.”
He noted that the NSITF would continue to take every necessary step to remove the barriers identified as hindering the implementation and functionality of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme in the federal civil service.
Faleye commended President Bola Tinubu for directing the payment of all Federal Government obligations under the scheme.
According to the NSITF Managing Director: “The Employees’ Compensation Scheme is enabled by law and mandates us to pay claims and compensation to Nigerian workers for injuries, disabilities, death, or diseases that arise in the course of work. It is essentially a work-related social insurance programme, and we are at the forefront of its implementation.
Considering the size of the federal civil service, there is no better platform to positively impact workers’ welfare than this core structure. That is why it’s crucial to ensure the scheme is fully operational at the federal level, including all relevant MDAs.
“We have made some progress, particularly in terms of fulfilling the financial obligations. We are in ongoing discussions with the Ministries of Budget and Finance to ensure prompt payment of Federal Government liabilities so that we can provide these essential services to civil servants, in keeping with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to stand by those serving the nation.
“Some payments have already been made, while others are still outstanding. We will keep working on this. However, we now believe it is time to undertake a comprehensive stakeholder engagement — especially with the civil servants who will be the direct beneficiaries of this vital welfare Scheme.
“Given the uniqueness of what we are offering, it is now imperative to launch a sustained sensitization campaign to educate workers about the scheme’s benefits and the claims process.
“That is why we are here — to kick-start that process. We are engaging with the Staff Welfare Office under the Head of Service to determine the modalities for the upcoming stakeholder engagement, and we are optimistic about receiving your guidance and support.”
Responding, Mrs. Walson-Jack said: “The Managing Director has outlined a very robust vision — one that I embraced the very first time we met. The Employees’ Compensation Scheme, as enshrined in the Employees’ Compensation Act, has long awaited a strong push to become fully integrated into our service-wide welfare offerings.
“I recall that in 2017 when I served as the permanent secretary of the staff welfare office, discussions around the scheme began, although it was not yet operational. I am delighted that we have now reached this milestone — where we are ready to sensitize civil servants as we commence implementation. I especially thank the Managing Director of the NSITF and his team for all the hard work that brought us to this point.
“I assure you that this office, through the Service Welfare Office, will provide full support and work closely with you to ensure the scheme is launched in 2025 and sustained thereafter.
“Let me also take this opportunity to thank our very worker-friendly President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for bringing us this far. This is another feather in the cap of the administration’s welfare initiatives. Just a few weeks ago, the Federal Executive Council approved the Group Life Assurance Scheme, and now we are here discussing the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
“This office remains deeply committed to the welfare of civil servants. That is why we have launched several initiatives — starting with the new minimum wage and the consequential salary adjustments. The wage award followed, and although it experienced delays, I am pleased to report that, as of yesterday, the arrears have started being paid.”
Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, on Sunday paid a visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The governor was accompanied by officials of the Sokoto State Government during the closed-door visit.
Nnamdi Kanu was recently moved to Sokoto after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges and handed a life sentence by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Governor Otti had earlier promised to pursue every lawful and political avenue to ensure that Kanu gets justice. Sunday’s visit is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Abia State Government regarding his case.
Details of the meeting were not made public as of the time of this report.
Armed terrorists have abducted a bride-to-be, her bridesmaid, and eight other residents from Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State
The Sokoto abduction occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to residents, when the attackers stormed the village. Most of the victims were women, with only one man also taken.
One resident sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment. Villagers told reporters that the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later that morning when the raid struck, plunging the community into shock and mourning.
A community member described the attack as “tragic,” noting the delay in security response. “Security operatives were alerted immediately, but they only arrived about an hour after the bandits had fled,” he said, expressing frustration.
….Writes NMDPRA, Engages Marketers to Stabilise Fuel Market
Photo caption: L R: Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Vishwajit Sinha; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird; President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to supply one billion five hundred million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) monthly to the Nigerian market in December 2025 and January 2026, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted nationwide fuel availability through the festive season and into the New Year.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the plans at the weekend, noting that the refinery will make available 50 million litres of PMS daily beginning December 1.
“In line with our commitment to national wellbeing, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month. This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment. We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.7 billion litres in February, which translates to about 60 million litres per day,” Dangote said.
Photo caption: L R: President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily. He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.
Dangote also revealed ongoing engagement with petroleum marketers to strengthen distribution systems, including expanding the use of CNG-powered haulage.
“Our priority is to ensure Nigeria receives the products it needs. This is not driven by profit motives; it is about guaranteeing the availability of essential energy products. It is similar to the transformation we delivered in the cement sector,” he added.
He further noted that the refinery is progressing with its expansion plan to reach a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day. More than 100,000 workers are expected to be involved in the expansion of both the refinery and the fertiliser complex. Dangote emphasised that the Group remains committed to its vision, driven by the strong public support for the company’s role in shaping Nigeria’s economic development.
During the visit, the Managing Director of SSDC, Usoro Offiong Akpabio, commended Dangote’s leadership and his continued contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capability, national energy security and long-term economic competitiveness.
She described the South-South region as Nigeria’s natural energy corridor, with vast crude oil reserves, gas infrastructure, maritime assets, agro-industrial activity and emerging industrial clusters. She noted that deeper collaboration between the region and the Dangote Group could unlock opportunities in product distribution, CNG infrastructure, petrochemicals, agriculture, and employment creation.
Akpabio added that such partnerships would advance the Federal Government’s energy stability agenda and position the South-South as a strategic growth hub for the Dangote Group.
“As the statutory development body for the South-South, SSDC is mandated to drive regional economic development, infrastructure integration, human capital advancement, and private-sector–led growth. In this regard, we stand prepared to support State-level policy and regulatory support for Ease-of-doing-business across our six states. Enabling environments for Dangote Group’s expansion into strategic sectors such as gas processing, agro-industrial value chains, renewable energy, logistics, and export-oriented manufacturing,” she said.
In a letter from the refinery’s Managing Director, David Bird, to the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, the company reaffirmed its readiness to host NMDPRA officials onsite at the refinery from December 1st to verify and publish its daily supply volumes. The refinery also sought the Authority’s support to ensure unhindered importation of crude, feedstocks and blending components, as well as smooth vessel loading for product evacuation.
“In the spirit of full transparency to the public we are willing to publish our daily production and stock volumes (online and print media),” Bird stated. “We seek the full support of NMDPRA to allow Dangote refinery to import our crude, feedstocks and blending components unhindered as well as support the lifting of our products by vessel. We continue to experience delays in vessel clearance which impacts not only the refinery operations but also our customers, adding unnecessary costs and inefficiencies”.
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