The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has presented compensation cheques to beneficiaries under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS).
The presentation, held on Tuesday in Abuja, marks the first direct compensation payment to federal civil servants and their families under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) since the Act came into effect in 2010.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, said the initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening social protection within the Federal Public Service.
Mrs Walson-Jack explained that the presentation, conducted in collaboration with the Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, provides tangible support to public servants affected by work-related injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities and other incidents arising in the course of official duties.
She noted that the presentation of compensation cheques demonstrates that the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare extends beyond policy pronouncements to practical support at the point of need.
Mrs Walson-Jack emphasised that compensation under the Scheme is a statutory entitlement rather than an act of charity and stressed that the government has a responsibility to ensure that no public servant or family is left without support following workplace hazards.
While underscoring that compensation provides an important safety net for affected workers, she noted that prevention remains the first line of protection and urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure strict compliance with occupational health and safety standards across the Public Service.
The Head of Service commended the NSITF team for its commitment to translating the provisions of the Employees’ Compensation Act into tangible benefits for Federal Civil Servants.
Mrs Walson-Jack described the operationalisation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme for Federal Civil Servants as a landmark achievement in the government’s efforts to strengthen social protection and place workers’ welfare at the centre of public service reform.
She also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained commitment to workers’ welfare under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mrs Walson-Jack recalled that the OHCSF and NSITF recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding and inaugurated the Employees’ Compensation Scheme Help Desk to strengthen awareness, facilitate prompt reporting of workplace incidents and ensure timely processing of eligible claims.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSITF, Faleye, described the payment as the fulfilment of the Fund’s statutory responsibilities.
“We are not here for a ceremony. We are here to keep a promise,” Faleye said.
He noted that although the Employees’ Compensation Act guarantees compensation for workers who suffer work-related injuries, occupational diseases or death in the course of duty, federal civil servants had not benefited from the scheme until now.
Faleye said the breakthrough followed the onboarding of federal workers into the Employees’ Compensation Scheme and the establishment of the ECS Help Desk at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation earlier this year.
He commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson Jack, for driving compliance across the public service.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Faleye said no amount of money could replace loved ones lost in the line of duty but added that the compensation reflects the government’s recognition of their sacrifice.
He also urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies yet to enrol under the scheme to do so, stressing that workers should not be left without protection against workplace risks.
The beneficiaries are Jae Grace Danture of the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, who received N3.82 million, Uzochukwu Aguomba of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, N10.40 million, Olofu Pius Agri of the University of Abuja, N3.17 million, Patience Oyekunle Nwankwo of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, N2.45 million, and Audu Sanda Eyum of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), N11.88 million.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Dr Abdul Sule Usman Garba, described the Scheme as a critical component of the government’s broader social protection framework and an important mechanism for promoting workers’ welfare in the Public Service.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Joe Grace Danture expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, OHCSF and NSITF for what she described as a timely intervention.
Mrs Danture said the compensation provides relief, hope and reassurance to affected officers and their families.
The presentation marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010, for Federal Public Servants and reinforces the government’s commitment to building a safe, responsive, welfare-oriented and people-centred Federal Public Service.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
