Cross-border collaboration takes centre stage as NSITF hosts Gambian delegation.

Nigeria and The Gambia have strengthened cooperation in social security administration as the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) commenced a week-long study tour for the Board of the Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund of The Gambia’s Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC).

The initiative is aimed at enhancing workers’ compensation and building institutional capacity.
Declaring the programme open in Abuja on Monday, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of NSITF, Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, described the engagement as a landmark effort to deepen collaboration and promote the exchange of best practices in administering the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS).
Represented by the Executive Director, Administration, Barr. Samaila Abdu, Faleye said the visit would provide the Gambian delegation with a comprehensive understanding of Nigeria’s Employees’ Compensation Scheme while strengthening institutional ties between both organisations.
“This engagement is not merely procedural; it is a solemn occasion of historic significance. It provides a noble platform through which both institutions may exchange knowledge, compare experiences, and glean invaluable insights that will enrich our shared mission of delivering social security benefits to our citizens,” he said.
Faleye noted that NSITF places great value on its partnership with SSHFC and expressed confidence that the knowledge shared during the study tour would help both institutions achieve their objectives while improving social protection for citizens of Nigeria and The Gambia.
The week-long programme will feature technical sessions, facility visits and discussions on policy, administration and service delivery under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme. The scheme, administered by NSITF, provides compensation for work-related injuries, occupational diseases and death, while also promoting workplace safety and health.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Finance and Investment, Olufemi Ayodele Samuel, said the initiative was designed to strengthen cross-border cooperation and strategic collaboration in industrial injuries compensation.
“We are here to flag off a highly anticipated capacity-building and study visit. This engagement is designed to foster cross-border cooperation, knowledge exchange, and strategic collaboration in the critical areas of industrial injuries compensation and social security administration,” he said.
Samuel expressed optimism that the visit would offer practical insights into workplace accident prevention, disability benefits, survivors’ compensation and the effective management of social protection funds.
“We hope this study tour will not only provide valuable insights into our operational procedures and claims tracking, but will also serve as a foundation for a lasting, mutually beneficial partnership,” he added.
Also speaking, the Executive Director (Operations), Barr. Mojisola Alli Macaulay, assured the Gambian delegation of a comprehensive exposure to the Fund’s operations, describing NSITF as the benchmark for social security administration in Africa.
Responding on behalf of the visitors, Chairman of the SSHFC Board and Permanent Secretary in The Gambia’s Ministry of Trade and Employment, Lamine Camara, said the delegation came to Nigeria to learn from NSITF’s experience and strengthen collaboration between both institutions.
“It’s a way to sustain collaboration with sister organizations. We are here to learn from such engagement. We are motivated, and would be glad to share all the experiences we learn here back home,” Camara said.
The SSHFC is The Gambia’s statutory agency responsible for social security, housing finance and the administration of industrial injuries compensation.