By Ebi Kesiena
The Nigerian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare, dignity and protection of Federal Civil Servants with the maiden presentation of compensation cheques to beneficiaries under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), a significant step in strengthening social protection within the Federal Public Service.
The presentation, held today in Abuja, provided tangible support to public servants affected by work-related injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities and other incidents arising in the course of official duty.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his sustained commitment to workers’ welfare under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She described the operationalisation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme for Federal Civil Servants as a landmark achievement in Government’s efforts to strengthen social protection and place the welfare of public servants at the centre of public service reform.
Mrs. Walson-Jack noted that the presentation of the cheques demonstrates that Government’s commitment to workers’ welfare extends beyond policy pronouncements to the delivery of practical support at the point of need. She emphasised that compensation under the Scheme is a statutory entitlement rather than an act of charity, and stressed that Government bears a responsibility to ensure that no public servant or family is left without support following the consequences of workplace hazards.
She commended the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr. Oluwaseun Mayomi Faleye, and his management team for their commitment to translating the provisions of the Employees’ Compensation Act into tangible benefits for Federal Civil Servants. She recalled that the OHCSF and NSITF recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding and inaugurated the Employees’ Compensation Scheme Help Desk, initiatives designed to strengthen awareness, facilitate prompt reporting of workplace incidents and ensure the timely processing of eligible claims.
While underscoring that compensation provides an important safety net for affected workers, the HCSF noted that prevention remains the first line of protection, and urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure strict compliance with occupational health and safety standards across the Public Service.
In his remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NSITF, Mr. Oluwaseun Mayomi Faleye, described the occasion as a historic milestone, being the maiden presentation of compensation cheques to beneficiaries from Treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies under the Scheme. He noted that the development represents a major step in the successful operationalisation of the Employees’ Compensation Act for Federal Civil Servants, and reaffirmed NSITF’s commitment to strengthening workplace safety, simplifying claims administration and expanding access to compensation benefits across the Federal Public Service.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Dr. Abdul Sule Usman Garba, described the occasion as a further practical demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting employees who sustain work-related injuries, occupational diseases or disabilities in the course of serving the nation. He described the Scheme as a critical component of Government’s broader social protection framework and an important mechanism for promoting workers’ welfare in the Public Service.
The beneficiaries of the compensation cheques were Mrs. Joe Grace Danture of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation; Mr. Uzochukwu Aguomba of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; Mr. Olofu Pius Agri of the University of Abuja; Mrs. Oyekule Patience Nwakuso of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; and Mrs. Audu Sandra Eyum of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Joe Grace Danture expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, OHCSF and NSITF for the timely intervention, describing the compensation as a source of relief, hope and reassurance to affected officers and their families.
The presentation marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010, for Federal Public Servants, and reinforces Government’s commitment to building a safe, responsive, welfare-oriented and people-centred Federal Public Service.
