NSITF, South Africa’s Rand Mutual deepen social protection partnership

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) says its emerging partnership with Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) of South Africa will significantly strengthen social protection systems across Africa, particularly in the areas of workers’ compensation, occupational safety and social security administration.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting a high-level delegation from Rand Mutual Assurance led by its Group Chief Executive Officer, Bilal Adam.

Faleye said the engagement marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration between two of Africa’s leading social insurance institutions, adding that the partnership is expected to enhance knowledge sharing, innovation and institutional capacity in the continent’s social protection space.

According to him, both organisations share a common responsibility to improve workers’ welfare and promote safer workplaces through efficient compensation systems and modernised administrative structures.

He noted that Rand Mutual Assurance, established in 1894, has evolved into one of Africa’s most experienced social insurers, particularly in workers’ compensation, occupational health, rehabilitation and return-to-work programmes.

“We view this visit not merely as a courtesy engagement, but as the beginning of a strategic partnership capable of transforming workers’ compensation and occupational injury insurance administration across our respective jurisdictions,” Faleye said.

He stressed that Nigeria and South Africa, as two of Africa’s largest economies, must take leadership in strengthening institutional frameworks that protect workers and improve productivity across the continent.

Faleye identified key areas of potential cooperation to include digital transformation, claims administration, occupational health and safety systems, rehabilitation programmes, capacity building, research, and policy development.

He also reaffirmed NSITF’s commitment to strengthening the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), describing it as a critical social protection mechanism that guarantees support for workers affected by occupational injuries, diseases, disability or death.

According to him, the ECS remains central to Nigeria’s social security architecture, providing medical care, rehabilitation and financial compensation to affected employees and their dependants.

He added that the evolving nature of work requires continuous innovation in social insurance systems to ensure efficiency, transparency and improved service delivery.

Faleye expressed optimism that the planned Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both institutions would formalise the partnership and open a new phase of cooperation.

“Together, let us continue to build stronger institutions, safer workplaces and a more inclusive and resilient social protection system for the benefit of workers across Africa,” he said.