In a significant effort to bolster social protection initiatives for civil servants, the Federal Government has strengthened collaboration among key welfare agencies.
This commitment was underscored during a strategic awareness workshop aimed at Desk Officers from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
The workshop, titled ‘Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Practice in Implementing the NHIA Act 2022 and the Employees’ Compensation Act,’ sought to improve understanding and effective implementation of these legislative measures.
Opening the workshop in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office (SWO) in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Patience Oyekunle, expressed gratitude to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, for her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to fostering innovative and inclusive welfare programs across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
She identified NHIA and NSITF as essential components of Nigeria’s developing social protection framework, with NHIA focusing on affordable healthcare access and NSITF addressing compensation for work-related injuries and disabilities.
She stressed the necessity of robust inter-agency collaboration to eliminate systemic inefficiencies and improve policy execution across service delivery channels.
Mrs. Oyekunle pointed out that Desk Officers play a crucial role in interpreting and implementing civil service welfare policies.
However, she acknowledged that knowledge gaps and inconsistencies in procedural application have created significant obstacles.
She explained that the workshop was intended to enhance skills in areas such as documentation, data management, inter-agency coordination, and accountability in service delivery.
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The Permanent Secretary encouraged participants to move beyond mere procedural compliance and develop a deeper understanding of the NHIA Act 2022 and the Employees’ Compensation Act, stating, “Your actions or inactions directly affect how civil servants perceive and trust government welfare programs.”
While praising the leadership of NHIA and NSITF, as well as the facilitators, for their dedication to equipping Desk Officers with essential knowledge and practical tools, she urged them to ensure that the workshop content remains engaging, evidence-based, and relevant to the realities of public service.
In his introductory remarks, the Deputy Director and Head of the Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Department, OHCSF, emphasized the workshop’s significance as a strategic response to ongoing reforms within NHIA and NSITF.
He highlighted that well-informed and empowered Desk Officers are crucial for the effective implementation of social protection mandates.
