NSITF Restores Hope, Dignity to Injured Workers Through Compensation Scheme By Raymond Enoch

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring hope, dignity, and confidence to Nigerian workers who suffer injuries in the course of duty through the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS).

Faleye made this known in Abuja during the presentation of prosthetic limbs to 10 beneficiaries under the scheme, describing the intervention as a lifeline for workers battling the physical and emotional trauma caused by workplace accidents.

Represented by the General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mrs. Nkiru Ogunnike, the NSITF boss said the scheme has continued to transform lives by supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of injured workers into society.

According to him, the Employees’ Compensation Scheme goes beyond statutory compensation, reflecting a humane and compassionate commitment to restoring the confidence and dignity of workers affected by occupational hazards.

He noted that workplace accidents often leave victims not only with physical injuries, but also emotional trauma, social isolation, and uncertainty about the future.

“For many Nigerian workers, a single workplace accident can permanently alter the course of their lives. However, through the intervention of the NSITF as administrators of the ECS, victims are given another opportunity to rebuild their lives and regain independence,” he stated.

Faleye highlighted the cases of two beneficiaries — Daniel Etim, a staff member of the University of Uyo Printing Press, and Festus Okpara of Tower Aluminium Laos — as clear examples of the impact of the scheme.

Daniel lost his arm in May 2024 after it became trapped in an industrial machine during routine operations, an accident that resulted in amputation.

The NSITF, he explained, not only covered his medical treatment expenses under the ECS but also provided him with a prosthetic arm to aid his rehabilitation.

“Beyond the payment of medical bills, the Fund extended further rehabilitative support by providing him with a prosthetic arm, reaffirming its commitment not only to compensation but also to restoring dignity, confidence, and functionality to injured workers,” Faleye said.

He added that Daniel’s experience reflects the broader mandate of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme as a social protection mechanism designed to ensure that workers who suffer workplace injuries, disabilities, occupational diseases, or death are not abandoned in moments of vulnerability.

Similarly, Faleye recounted the story of Festus Okpara, whose workplace accident occurred in 2015 and resulted in the loss of his hand.

According to him, beyond the physical pain, Festus endured years of emotional trauma and social discomfort arising from public reactions to his condition.

To support his recovery and reintegration, the NSITF provided him with a silicone prosthetic hand, helping him regain self-confidence and a renewed sense of inclusion.

“For beneficiaries like Daniel and Festus, the interventions of the NSITF have become more than institutional obligations; they represent hope, restoration, and reassurance that injured workers are not left to navigate tragedy alone,” the Managing Director stated.

He stressed that the interventions also draw attention to the often overlooked psychological and emotional scars associated with workplace injuries.

“These interventions highlight the critical role of the NSITF in implementing the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, which continues to serve as a vital safety net for Nigerian workers in both the public and private sectors,” he added.

Speaking emotionally during the presentation, beneficiary Festus Okpara expressed appreciation to the Fund for helping him overcome years of trauma.

“I thank NSITF for coming all this way to help. At least with this silicone artificial hand, I can go out in public and feel free. NSITF has reduced the level of trauma,” he said.

The 10 beneficiaries are among 78 persons currently benefiting from the ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration programme of the NSITF aimed at improving the quality of life of injured workers across the country.