The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive, Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, has entered into a significant partnership with the Taraba State Government. This strategic collaboration was cemented during a courtesy visit by Faleye to the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, at the Government House in Jalingo on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
The engagement was part of NSITF's broader initiative to foster structured partnerships with state governments committed to worker welfare and improved governance.
Central to the discussions was the effective implementation and expansion of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS). Faleye explained to Governor Kefas and other state officials that the scheme serves as a crucial social protection mechanism, offering dignity to employees and stability to employers, rather than being merely a statutory requirement.
"When a worker is injured, disabled, or loses his life in the course of duty, the response of the government defines public trust and reinforces confidence in leadership," he remarked.
The NSITF chief praised Governor Kefas' administration for its focus on welfare, stating that enhancing ECS coverage aligns with the state's objectives for workforce protection. He stressed the need to move beyond policy discussions towards achieving tangible, time-bound results.
To facilitate compliance, Faleye proposed actionable steps, including expanding ECS coverage across Taraba State's Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), intensifying outreach to major employers and contractors, and raising awareness about workplace safety and compensation responsibilities.
For better coordination and accountability, he suggested appointing a specific ministry or official to liaise with NSITF. Furthermore, he recommended establishing an immediate joint technical committee between the state and NSITF to create a concise implementation roadmap within weeks. NSITF has also established an internal Strategic Inter-Agency Coordination (SIAC) framework to monitor progress on deliverables from such high-level meetings.
Faleye elaborated on the benefits of robust ECS compliance, noting that it would protect employees, reduce employers' legal risks, promote industrial peace, and demonstrate the administration's commitment to structured social protection.
He further recommended integrating the ECS Compliance Certificate into Taraba State's public procurement and contracting procedures. This would require companies seeking state contracts, pre-qualification, registration, or engaging in public-private partnerships to provide proof of NSITF compliance, thereby reinforcing existing statutory obligations.
Towards the end of the meeting, Faleye sought confirmation on the state's preferred coordination structure and officially designated Governor Kefas as an Ambassador and Advocate for the Employees’ Compensation Scheme in Taraba State and the Northeast region.
Governor Kefas welcomed the NSITF delegation and confirmed Taraba State's commitment to the ECS for the benefit of its workers. He assured that implementation would be coordinated through the Office of the Head of Service, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Local Government.
The Governor expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the state's recent efforts in managing pension obligations, noting that ₦5 billion had been paid to pensioners, with a commitment to clearing outstanding entitlements by year's end.
Governor Kefas reiterated his dedication to the ECS mandate, pledging Taraba State's full compliance with its obligations towards worker welfare. He promptly approved the formation of a high-level committee to work with NSITF towards achieving full compliance.
The meeting concluded with a clear strategic alignment and a shared sense of responsibility, signifying a major step in strengthening institutional collaboration and embedding structured social protection in Taraba State and the wider Northeast.
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