MD, NSITF, Alhaji Munir Abubakar

John Shiklam 

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Alhaji Munir Abubakar, has disclosed that 1,020 employers have been registered by the organisation despite the difficulties facing it.

Abubakar, who spoke during an interactive session with industrial unions in Kaduna, also said 12 banks were appointed as contribution collection banks for the scheme, adding that over 600 new staff, mostly professionals, were recruited to enable the scheme render efficient services.

Noting the difficulties beneficiaries of the fund go through in time of accidents, Abubakar said the NSITF was working seriously to ensure the appointment of hospitals and clinics that would be used for the treatment of injured people under the scheme, adding that discussions with the relevant stakeholders such as the Nigeria Medical Association would soon start.

He revealed further that the NSITF had established a working relationship with the Workers’ Compensation Fund of Zambia, stressing that already an exchange programme of training for NSITF staff had commenced.

Also in a presentation, NSITF’s Assistant General Manager, Operations, Mr. Jacob Ola, told the union leaders that employers are required to pay 1 per cent of their workers’ total emolument as prescribed in the Act establishing the scheme.

According to him, 4,507 notices of accidents or deaths had been received so far, adding that 76 of such cases had been processed and paid.

He advised employees to report accidents, injury or disabling occupational diseases to their employers and other appropriate authorities and fill the prescribed forms to facilitate the prompt payment of their benefits under the scheme.