Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barrister Olúwa?eun Mayomi Faleye, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s social protection system to safeguard workers against the emerging risks posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technological disruptions in the workplace.
Speaking at the 2025 Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) Workshop in Ibadan on Friday, Barrister Faleye said the nature of work is rapidly changing, and so are the risks that come with it. Presenting a paper titled Social Security and Protection for Nigerian Workers Amid AI Disruption, he warned that technological innovations are expanding the scope of work-related risks beyond traditional physical injuries.
‘Work-related risks are expanding. They are no longer only injuries sustained in factory floors; they now include technological displacement, income instability, and psychological stress caused by rapid workplace changes,’ he stated.
According to him, Nigeria’s social protection system must evolve to keep pace with the transformation happening across industries. ‘Social Protection must evolve. We must rethink coverage, redefine risk, and reimagine support. In the era of AI, social security must not only compensate, it must empower,’ he said, emphasizing the need for intentional policies and sustained investment in social security.
While acknowledging that AI brings innovation, efficiency, and productivity gains, the NSITF boss cautioned that it also threatens traditional job structures, leaving many workers vulnerable to displacement. ‘AI promised efficiency and productivity, but it also threatens traditional jobs from factory floors to administrative offices,’ he observed. ‘The real question now should be the protection of displaced workers.’
Faleye identified several factors hindering full social protection coverage in Nigeria, particularly the dominance of the informal sector, which constitutes over 80 percent of the economy yet remains largely outside existing safety nets. He also lamented the limited awareness among workers about their rights and the benefits available under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme operated by the NSITF.
Despite these challenges, the Managing Director expressed optimism that AI could also be harnessed to strengthen the country’s social protection framework. ‘AI itself offers tools to make social protection more efficient. From digital identity systems that verify workers, to predictive analytics that help detect fraud or anticipate workplace risks before they happen,’ he explained.
Faleye emphasized that Nigeria must prioritize expanding social security coverage, investing in digital literacy and reskilling for workers, leveraging AI for social security delivery, and fostering collaboration among government, labour, and employers to ensure continuous dialogue and action. He urged that ‘the Nigerian workers’ welfare must remain the centre of all innovation.’
Calling on journalists to play their part, the NSITF chief appealed to members of the media to help raise public awareness about social protection and the challenges of AI-driven workplace transformations.
He concluded his presentation on a note of reassurance, saying that with proactive policy reforms and adequate preparation, Nigerian workers can look to the future with hope. ‘With the right policy changes, preparations, adaptation, and adequate protection, the future would be bright, and no Nigerian workers would be left behind,’ he said.