In a renewed effort to bolster social protection systems for Nigerian civil servants, the Federal Government has reinforced collaboration between key welfare agencies — the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). This strategic move was underscored at a sensitization workshop aimed at equipping Desk Officers with practical knowledge to bridge the gap between policy and practice.
The workshop, themed “Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Practice in Implementing the NHIA Act 2022 and the Employees’ Compensation Act”, brought together Desk Officers from both agencies to deepen their understanding of recently enacted legislation and to strengthen their capacity to effectively deliver on their mandates.
Declaring the workshop open in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office (SWO) in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Mrs. Patience Oyekunle, commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, for her visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to innovative, inclusive welfare initiatives across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Mrs. Oyekunle identified the NHIA and NSITF as vital pillars of Nigeria’s evolving social protection landscape — with NHIA responsible for expanding access to affordable healthcare, and NSITF mandated to provide compensation for occupational injuries and disabilities. She stressed the need for strong inter-agency synergy to address bottlenecks and ensure seamless implementation of policies that directly impact civil servants’ well-being.
“Desk Officers are the first line of contact in executing welfare policies,” she said. “However, gaps in knowledge and inconsistencies in policy application have created obstacles. This workshop aims to close those gaps by building capacity in documentation, data management, inter-agency coordination, and accountability.”
The Permanent Secretary further urged participants to move beyond routine compliance and develop a more strategic understanding of the NHIA Act 2022 and the Employees’ Compensation Act, emphasizing that their efficiency directly affects how civil servants experience and trust government welfare programmes.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Director and Head of the Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment Department at OHCSF described the workshop as a timely intervention aligned with broader public sector reforms. He noted that well-informed Desk Officers are crucial for the successful implementation of NHIA and NSITF mandates, which aim to promote Universal Health Coverage and ensure the protection of workers’ rights and safety.
Key presentations during the workshop included:
1. NHIA Act 2022 – Key provisions, implementation strategies, and the role of Desk Officers.
2. Understanding the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA) – Operational guidelines and institutional mandates.
3. Importance of Regular Medical Health Checks – Promoting preventive healthcare among federal workers.
4. The Employee Compensation Scheme (ECS) – Enhancing awareness and onboarding of civil servants.
5. Employee Wellness – Fostering physical and mental well-being in the workplace.
6. Basic Life Support – First-response skills for workplace health emergencies.
The sensitization workshop is part of the ongoing capacity-building drive under Nigeria’s public service reform agenda, aimed at improving transparency, service delivery, and operational efficiency across the civil service
