As Nigeria prepares to host the 2026 International Social Security Association (ISSA) West Africa Technical seminar, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has highlighted the urgent need to expand social security coverage to millions of workers, particularly those in the informal sector.
Managing Director of NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, said the seminar scheduled to hold in Abuja will focus on practical strategies to improve inclusiveness, accessibility and trust in social protection systems across the region.
‘This seminar comes at a time when social protection systems globally, and particularly in West Africa, are under pressure to evolve,’ Faleye said, during a media briefing. ‘Across our region, millions of workers, especially in the informal sector, remain outside formal social security coverage.’ He added
The two-day seminar, themed ‘Improving Inclusiveness and Accessibility of Social Security Services through Effective Communication,’ will bring together policymakers, employers, labour representatives and development partners to address gaps in service delivery and access.
Faleye noted that although Nigeria has recorded progress in strengthening its social security framework, particularly through the Employees’ Compensation Scheme; coverage remains limited, with challenges around awareness, accessibility and institutional trust.
‘The question is no longer whether social security is important, but how effectively we are delivering it,’ he said.
He added that weak communication and complex processes have continued to hinder uptake of existing schemes.
‘Communication is therefore not an add-on, but it is central to expanding coverage and building confidence,’ he stated.
According to him, the objective of the seminar is to move beyond policy discussions to practical outcomes that improve how social security systems function for workers. ‘The objective is simple but critical: to strengthen how social security systems work in practice, not just in policy,’ Faleye said.
He emphasised that addressing the coverage gap requires collective responsibility across government, employers and workers. ‘Governments must provide enabling policies, institutions must deliver efficiently, employers must comply and engage, and workers must be informed and empowered,’ he added.
Participants expected at the seminar include representatives of the Federal Ministry of Labour, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), UNESCO, and other regional stakeholders.
Faleye said Nigeria’s hosting of the seminar reflects a broader commitment to strengthening social protection systems through regional collaboration and shared learning. ‘What we begin in Abuja is not just a conversation; it is a commitment to strengthening protection for millions of workers across West Africa,’ he said.
The seminar will hold from April 22 to 23 at the Abuja Continental Hotel and is expected to generate practical insights to improve service delivery and deepen institutional cooperation.
‘Ultimately, the goal is to move from coverage in theory to coverage in reality. Social security must not remain a system people hear about; it must become a system people can access, understand, and trust. He added.