The Federal Government has begun paying compensation to civil servants who suffer injuries, occupational diseases and disabilities in the course of their official duties.
Five federal workers received compensation cheques on Tuesday in Abuja under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), in what the government described as a major milestone in the implementation of the scheme for Federal Public Servants.
The presentation was organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) in collaboration with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
Speaking at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, said the initiative showed that the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare goes beyond policy statements.
She described the operationalisation of the scheme as a landmark achievement in strengthening social protection within the Federal Public Service.
According to her, compensation under the scheme is a statutory entitlement and should not be regarded as charity.
She said government has a responsibility to ensure that public servants and their families are not left without support when workers suffer the consequences of workplace hazards.
Walson-Jack said, “The presentation of these 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 also urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise workplace safety and comply strictly with occupational health and safety standards.
The Head of Service noted that while compensation provides an important safety net for affected workers, preventing workplace accidents and occupational hazards should remain the first line of protection.
She commended the NSITF Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oluwaseun Mayomi Faleye, and his management team for their efforts in translating the provisions of the Employees’ Compensation Act into tangible benefits for federal civil servants.
Walson-Jack disclosed that the OHCSF and NSITF had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding and inaugurated an Employees’ Compensation Scheme Help Desk.
She said the initiatives were designed to improve awareness of the scheme, facilitate prompt reporting of workplace incidents and ensure timely processing of eligible claims.
NSITF Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oluwaseun Mayomi Faleye, described the cheque presentation as a “historic milestone,” noting that it was the first presentation of compensation cheques to beneficiaries from Treasury-funded MDAs under the scheme.
He reaffirmed NSITF’s commitment to improving workplace safety, simplifying claims administration and expanding access to compensation benefits across the Federal Public Service.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Abdul Sule Usman Garba, described the scheme as an important component of the government’s wider social protection framework.
He said it provides support to employees who sustain work-related injuries, occupational diseases or disabilities while serving the nation.
The five beneficiaries who received the compensation cheques are Joe Grace Danture of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation; Uzochukwu Aguomba of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; Olofu Pius Agri of the University of Abuja; Oyekule Patience Nwakuso of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; and Audu Sandra Eyum of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Danture thanked the Federal Government, OHCSF and NSITF for the intervention, describing the compensation as a source of relief, hope and reassurance for affected workers and their families.
The presentation marks a significant step in the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010, for Federal Public Servants and underscores the government’s commitment to building a safer and welfare-oriented public service.