The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) have agreed to establish a joint committee aimed at addressing outstanding contributions owed by the NCS to the NSITF.
This decision was reached during an advocacy visit by the NSITF’s Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye, to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday in Abuja.
During the meeting, which was attended by senior officials from both the Customs Service and NSITF, the Comptroller General of Customs emphasised the role of the NSITF as a key agency in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He highlighted the importance of welfare programs, such as the NSITF’s Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), which supports Nigerian workers.
According to a statement by Nwachukwu Godson, NSITF’s General Manager for Corporate Affairs, the Customs CG stated, “Social investment programs like the NSITF’s ECS are essential components in delivering the President’s agenda. The effectiveness of the NSITF directly enhances the welfare of Nigerians, which is also a priority for us at Customs.”
He underscored the NCS’s commitment to employee welfare, explaining that a dedicated welfare unit is in place to support officers, including contributions to the ECS.
He added, “We view this visit as the start of a stronger partnership between the NSITF and NCS, aimed at improving welfare services, promoting workplace safety, and ensuring adequate compensation for officers injured in the line of duty.”
The Comptroller General welcomed the proposal to form a technical team comprising representatives from both agencies. This team will review and reconcile outstanding contributions spanning over a decade and discuss possible rescheduling for any liabilities found.
He also invited the NSITF to conduct workplace safety assessments within Customs facilities, to improve conditions for both officers and visiting partners.
Managing Director Faleye commended the NCS for its ongoing contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth, urging a deeper partnership between the two organisations.
He emphasised the NSITF’s commitment to workplace accident prevention through occupational safety and health programs, and to providing compensation in cases of work-related accidents, disabilities, or fatalities.
“The Customs Service has been a key partner, and we have consistently supported its staff through contributions, as well as claims for death, disability, and medical expenses,” he noted.
Faleye added that the NSITF currently has substantial cumulative benefit payments scheduled for Customs personnel, underscoring the significance of a continued collaboration to improve welfare and compliance.
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