By Chesa Chesa
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye, has assured personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of comprehensive protection under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS).
He said the scheme provides compensation for work-related injuries, disabilities and occupational diseases, while dependants of officers who die in the course of duty would also receive statutory benefits.
Faleye gave the assurance on Wednesday at the sensitisation and onboarding ceremony of the NSCDC on the ECS, held at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.
“An institution entrusted with protecting the nation must therefore have a dependable system for protecting its own workforce. Those who protect our nation must themselves be protected. That is the principle that brings us together today,” he said.
The NSITF boss commended the Commandant General of the NSCDC for initiating the partnership, noting that since registering with the Fund on August 23, 2024, the Corps had demonstrated commitment by making provision for the scheme in its 2026 budget and engaging the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation on budgetary arrangements.
He explained that the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, established under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010, provides support to workers who suffer occupational injuries, diseases or disabilities, as well as compensation for their dependants in the event of death in the course of employment.
According to him, the scheme is particularly relevant to frontline security personnel who face occupational risks while defending critical infrastructure, conducting rescue operations and responding to emergencies.
He said affected officers could access medical treatment, hospitalisation, medication and rehabilitation, including prosthetic and assistive devices where necessary.
The scheme also provides income support during temporary incapacity and statutory compensation for permanent partial or total disability.
Faleye stressed that where an officer dies in the course of duty, eligible dependants would receive compensation to reduce the financial burden on the bereaved family.
He urged the NSCDC to establish designated ECS Desks at its National Headquarters, state commands and area commands to facilitate the reporting of workplace injuries, guide affected officers and their families through claims procedures and maintain effective communication with the NSITF.
Declaring the programme open, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, described the onboarding of officers and men onto the ECS as a strategic step towards strengthening the welfare and protection framework of the Corps.
