Mothercloud News

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) is pushing for stricter laws to enforce occupational health and safety standards across workplaces in Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja during an interactive session with journalists, NSITF Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye, revealed that the agency is engaging the National Assembly to review existing laws and grant more enforcement powers to the NSITF.

Challenges in Enforcing Safety Standards

Faleye highlighted major challenges in enforcing workplace safety rules:

• Some companies prevent NSITF inspectors from accessing their premises, making it difficult to assess and enforce safety measures.
• Ignorance and lack of awareness contribute to low employer and employee enrollment in the NSITF’s social safety programs.

To address these, he said:

“We are engaging with the National Assembly to see if we can be given necessary powers to lock the premises of recalcitrant organizations that endanger the lives of their employees.”

The NSITF is also stepping up public awareness efforts to ensure more companies enroll in its social security schemes.

Importance of a Well-Trained Workforce

In a related development, Faleye emphasized that a trained workforce is the foundation for economic growth and industrialization.

During a courtesy visit by Adamson Olawatosin Ayide, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Faleye noted:

• Industrialization and economic development depend on a skilled workforce.
• Training and skill development empower individuals to earn a decent living and contribute to national progress.
• Collaboration between government agencies and private organizations is crucial for workforce development.

The NSITF plans to play a key role in workforce training and development, committing both human and financial resources to the upcoming National Industrial Manpower Summit.

Digitalization and Reform Efforts

Addressing concerns over the NSITF’s stalled digitalization drive, Faleye disclosed that:

• The project has not progressed as initially planned.
• The NSITF has engaged KPMG to audit the project’s execution and assess its alignment with the original contract.

Strategic Collaboration for Industrial Growth

Speaking on the government’s commitment to manpower development, Ayide stated:

“In today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape, skills development is not just an option but a necessity for national progress.”

He acknowledged NSITF’s role in:

• Protecting and empowering the Nigerian workforce.
• Enhancing social security and employee welfare.
• Ensuring workers are well-trained and supported.

The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to collaborate on initiatives that will improve occupational safety, workforce training, and industrial growth in Nigeria.