By Victor Ahiuma-Young, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen social security and employee protection have received a major international endorsement, as the International Social Security Association, ISSA, commended the country’s commitment to advancing social protection and workers’ welfare.

The endorsement came on the sidelines of the ongoing 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, during a meeting between the Secretary-General of ISSA, Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano, and a delegation from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, led by the Executive Director, Administration, Samaila Abdu, who represented the Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye.

The meeting reaffirmed the growing collaboration between Nigeria and the world’s foremost social security body, a development seen as a boost to ongoing reforms aimed at expanding social protection coverage and strengthening employee compensation systems in the country.

Speaking during the engagement, the ISSA Secretary-General praised the “NSITF for successfully hosting a regional social security conference in Abuja earlier this year and commended the management of the Fund for its commitment to the growth and development of social security administration in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.

Caetano also lauded the active role being played by the NSITF in advancing the objectives of ISSA both in Africa and globally”, describing the institution as a key partner in efforts to deepen social security protection and inclusion.

For its part, the NSITF said its partnership with ISSA has continued to reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening social security systems and enhancing employee compensation mechanisms for workers across the country.

The Fund noted that collaboration with the global body provides opportunities for knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and the adoption of international best practices capable of improving service delivery and expanding access to social protection.

ISSA is the leading international organisation for social security institutions, bringing together more than 340 member organisations from 165 countries around the world.

The latest recognition comes barely weeks after the NSITF hosted social security agencies from across West Africa at an ISSA conference held in Abuja on April 22 and 23.

The conference, themed “Improving Inclusiveness and Accessibility of Social Security Services Through Effective Communication in West Africa,” focused on strategies for expanding social protection coverage, improving service delivery and ensuring that vulnerable populations have greater access to social security benefits.

Labour and social security experts view the growing partnership between Nigeria and ISSA as a significant step toward strengthening workers’ welfare, improving compensation systems and expanding social security coverage in line with global standards.