The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Oluwaseun Faleye, has said the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) has continued to restore hope, dignity and confidence to Nigerian workers who suffer injuries in the line of duty.
Faleye stated this in Abuja during the presentation of prosthetic limbs to 10 beneficiaries of the scheme, describing the intervention as a demonstration of the Fund’s commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration of injured workers into society.
Represented by the General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mrs Nkiru Ogunnike, the NSITF boss said workplace accidents often leave victims with not only physical injuries but also emotional trauma and uncertainty about the future.
According to him, the Employees’ Compensation Scheme goes beyond statutory compensation to reflect a humane commitment to preserving the dignity of workers affected by occupational hazards.
He said, “However, through the intervention of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund as administrators of the ECS, Daniel received medical support, with his treatment expenses fully covered under the Scheme.
“Beyond the payment of medical bills, the Fund extended further rehabilitative support by providing him with a prosthetic arm, reaffirming its commitment not only to compensation but also to restoring dignity, confidence, and functionality to injured workers.
“Daniel’s story underscores the broader mandate of the Employee Compensation Scheme, a social protection mechanism designed to ensure that Nigerian workers who suffer workplace injuries, disabilities, occupational diseases, or death are not abandoned in moments of vulnerability.”
Faleye cited the case of Daniel Etim, a staff member of the University of Uyo Printing Press, who lost his arm in May 2024 after it was trapped in an industrial machine during a routine workday.
He also recounted the experience of Festus Okpara of Tower Aluminium Laos, who lost his hand in a workplace accident in 2015 and struggled with emotional trauma and public stigma for years.
“Similar to Daniel’s is the story of Festus, whose workplace accident dates back to 2015. Having lost his hand in a workplace incident, Festus lived for years with the emotional burden that accompanied his physical condition.
“Beyond the trauma of the accident itself was the constant public attention, the quizzical looks, and the pitying stares that made social interactions difficult,” he said.
Faleye added that the Fund later provided Festus with a silicone prosthetic hand to help him regain confidence and improve his social interactions.
“NSITF provided Festus with a silicone prosthetic hand, helping him regain not only physical confidence but also a renewed sense of inclusion and self-worth,” he stated.
The NSITF boss stressed that the interventions under the ECS had become a source of reassurance for injured workers across the country.
“For beneficiaries like Daniel and Festus, the interventions of the NSITF have become more than institutional obligations; they represent hope, restoration, and reassurance that injured workers are not left to navigate tragedy alone,” he added.
He further noted that the programme highlights the often-overlooked psychological and emotional impact of workplace injuries.
“These interventions highlight the critical role of the NSITF in implementing the Employee Compensation Scheme, which continues to serve as a vital safety net for Nigerian workers in both the public and private sectors,” he concluded.
Speaking at the event, one of the beneficiaries, Festus Okpara, expressed gratitude to the NSITF for supporting his recovery.
“I thank NSITF for coming all this way to help. At least with this (a silicone artificial hand), I can go out in public and feel free. NSITF has
reduced the level of trauma,” he said.
The 10 beneficiaries are among 78 people recently fitted with artificial limbs under the NSITF’s ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration programme.
