The federal government has revealed that over 7.5 million Nigerian workers have enrolled under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen social protection and safeguard workers against occupational risks.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, made the disclosure yesterday at the International Social Security Association (ISSA) West Africa Technical Seminar in Abuja.
The event brought together policymakers, labour leaders, and social security experts from across the region to deliberate on improving the inclusiveness and accessibility of social security services.
Tinubu said the scheme, administered through the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), has improved workplace injury protection and ensured that employees and their families are shielded from financial hardship arising from accidents, disabilities, or death.
He said the initiative formed part of the reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s social security architecture, which also includes pension expansion, healthcare coverage, employment generation and targeted social interventions.
According to him, over 10 million workers are currently contributing to the Contributory Pension Scheme, while pension assets have grown beyond N25 trillion.
Tinubu highlighted the role of institutions such as the National Directorate of Employment, which has empowered over two million Nigerians through vocational training and job creation programmes and the National Health Insurance Authority, which covers over 16 million Nigerians.
He said, “Today, over 7.5 million Nigerian employees are covered under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, ensuring that when workplace accidents or disabilities occur, families are protected from sudden economic ruin.
“Every compensation payment sends a clear message: those who serve this nation will not be abandoned. We also know that across our region, vulnerability remains a daily reality. A workplace accident. A sudden illness. An economic disruption. A job lost. For too many families, one unexpected shock can undo years of effort.
“This is why social security matters, not as theory, not as policy jargon, but as the thin line between stability and despair,” he said.
In his opening remarks, the minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, described social security as a critical pillar for economic stability, social justice and industrial harmony, stressing the need for adaptive systems in response to evolving labour dynamics.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening key institutions under its supervision, particularly the NSITF, to ensure effective delivery of compensation and protection for Nigerian workers.
Earlier, the managing-director of NSITF, Oluwaseun Falaye, underscored the importance of innovation, digital transformation and regional collaboration in enhancing the efficiency and credibility of social protection systems.
He said the agency is investing in integrated platforms to improve claims processing, data management and service delivery.
“Social security systems do not earn public confidence merely by adopting technology, but by using innovation to strengthen governance, expand inclusion and uphold human dignity,” Falaye said.
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