NSITF unveils reform agenda after 2026 management review

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has unveiled a new reform agenda aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s social security system following its two-day 2026 Management Performance Review (MPR) meeting held in Abuja.

The meeting, attended by the Fund’s top management, assessed performance in 2025 and set policy directions to improve service delivery and ensure financial sustainability in the year ahead.

Discussions centred on reviewing regional performances, enhancing collaboration across branches, identifying operational bottlenecks, and repositioning the organisation for greater efficiency and value delivery.

In his opening remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive, Oluwaseun Faleye, stressed the importance of measurable outcomes and renewed commitment to the Fund’s mandate. He outlined five strategic priorities for 2026: expanding coverage, particularly within the private and informal sectors; improving the timeliness and transparency of claims processing; strengthening operational efficiency and financial discipline; accelerating digital transformation; and upholding integrity and professionalism across the organisation.

Faleye emphasised that the Fund must build trust among stakeholders while delivering tangible value to contributors and beneficiaries.

Resolutions from regional offices largely focused on expanding coverage, boosting compliance, reducing operational costs, and deepening engagement with small and medium-scale enterprises as well as the informal sector.

The review examined the performances of regional and branch offices alongside key departments, identifying challenges and proposing solutions. Among the measures suggested were the creation of special task teams to address abandoned files, improve new registrations, and rationalise cost-collection ratios. Participants also recommended stronger legal enforcement against defaulting employers, improved deployment of staff and resources, performance-based incentives, and closer collaboration with stakeholders.

Digital transformation featured prominently in the recommendations, with calls for unified databases, automated workflows, and real-time monitoring systems to speed up compensation delivery and enhance transparency.

The meeting further advocated stronger partnerships with agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Corporate Affairs Commission to boost contributions. Measures to promote staff welfare, diversity, and mental health support were also highlighted.

Inclusion of the informal economy in the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) emerged as a major focus, with participants urging intensified sensitisation campaigns, simplified processes, and strategic partnerships to broaden coverage.

At the close of the meeting, management reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the resolutions with clear timelines, monitoring mechanisms, and accountability structures. Officials described the 2026 review as a decisive step toward strengthening the Fund’s mandate, expanding coverage, and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s social security system.