By Daniel Kudayah
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has warned that millions of Nigerian workers could face inadequate social protection as artificial intelligence, automation and digital platforms continue to change the nature of employment.
The Fund called for urgent steps to close existing gaps in social protection, improve employer compliance and ensure that workers enjoy adequate protection, regardless of their type of employment.
The NSITF also urged government, employers, organised labour, social security institutions and the media to work together to protect workers from the risks created by changing employment patterns.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, raised the concerns in his keynote address at the Labour Writers’ Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) Annual Workshop in Lagos.
The address, titled Social Security and Workers’ Welfare in Nigeria’s Political Transition: Closing the Protection Gaps and Building a Sustainable Safety Net, was presented on his behalf by the Deputy General Manager and Head of Corporate Affairs Department, Alexandra Mede.
Faleye described social security as an investment in human dignity, economic stability and the protection of workers and their families.
He said social security was not just about government policies, regulations and financial contributions but also about protecting workers against workplace injuries, disabilities, accidents and the loss of their major source of income.
According to him, the changing nature of work, including remote employment, artificial intelligence, automation and the gig economy, has created new challenges for existing social protection systems.
He expressed concern that many workers engaged through digital platforms and other informal arrangements could be left without adequate protection.
“How do we ensure that technological progress does not create a new generation of workers who are economically active but insufficiently protected?” he asked.
Faleye said Nigeria’s social protection system must change to address new developments in the labour market and ensure that workers are not left behind.
He identified the exclusion of informal workers, poor employer compliance and low awareness of available social protection programmes as major challenges.
He said addressing the problems required effective laws, better awareness, reliable data, accessible institutions and cooperation among relevant stakeholders.
The NSITF boss also highlighted the importance of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), which provides support to workers who suffer injuries, disabilities or other work-related risks.
He urged employers to meet their responsibilities under the scheme and encouraged workers to understand their rights and the benefits available to them.
Faleye said institutions responsible for social protection must also improve their services, transparency and accessibility to ensure workers receive the support they need.
He stressed that social protection should be available before workplace accidents or other unfortunate incidents occur, rather than being considered only after workers have suffered.
The NSITF chief executive further urged employers to see workers’ protection as more than a legal requirement, describing it as an important part of responsible business practice.
He said proper compliance with social security obligations could improve workplace stability, productivity and workers’ confidence.
Faleye disclosed that the Fund would continue to engage employers, simplify its processes, improve service delivery and increase awareness of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
He also urged labour journalists to go beyond reporting industrial disputes and take a stronger role in explaining labour policies and social security issues.
According to him, journalists have a responsibility to educate workers about their rights, inform employers about their obligations and hold relevant institutions accountable.
He encouraged members of LAWAN to report accurately, ask critical questions and explain complex policies in simple language that ordinary Nigerians could understand.
On the effect of political transitions on workers’ welfare, Faleye said the protection of workers should remain a priority regardless of changes in government.
He called for strong and accountable social security institutions that could maintain their responsibilities across successive administrations.
He identified informal-sector workers, digital platform employees, occupational diseases, artificial intelligence and automation as emerging issues that Nigeria’s social protection system must address.
Faleye said no single institution could solve the country’s social protection challenges without the support of government agencies, employers, workers, organised labour, journalists, technology experts and development partners.
He reaffirmed NSITF’s commitment to improving public awareness, using technology to strengthen its operations and making its services more accessible to Nigerian workers.
He urged participants at the LAWAN workshop to turn discussions into practical steps that would improve workers’ welfare and strengthen social protection in the country.
He added that an effective social security system would help protect workers, support economic growth and promote decent working conditions.
