The Federal Government has presented its first compensation cheques to Federal Civil Servants under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), reaffirming its commitment to improving workers’ welfare and strengthening social protection across the Federal Public Service.

‎The maiden presentation which took place in Abuja, provided financial support to public servants affected by work-related injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities and other incidents sustained in the course of official duty. The initiative is being implemented through a partnership between the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

‎Speaking at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising workers’ welfare under the Renewed Hope Agenda. She described the operationalisation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme for Federal Civil Servants as a major milestone in the government’s public service reform agenda.

‎Walson-Jack said the compensation scheme demonstrates the government’s resolve to move beyond policy declarations by providing practical support to workers in need. She stressed that compensation under the scheme is a statutory entitlement, not an act of charity, and reaffirmed the government’s responsibility to protect public servants and their families from the financial impact of workplace hazards.

‎She also praised the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Mr. Oluwaseun Mayomi Faleye, for ensuring the effective implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Act. She noted that the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the OHCSF and NSITF, alongside the inauguration of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme Help Desk, would improve awareness, speed up claims processing and encourage prompt reporting of workplace incidents.

In his remarks, Faleye described the event as a historic milestone, noting that it marked the first compensation payment to beneficiaries from Treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies under the scheme. He reaffirmed NSITF’s commitment to promoting workplace safety, simplifying claims administration and expanding access to compensation benefits for Federal Civil Servants.

‎The beneficiaries included Mrs. Joe Grace Danture of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, Mr. Uzochukwu Aguomba of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Olofu Pius Agri of the University of Abuja, Mrs. Oyekule Patience Nwakuso of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Mrs. Audu Sandra Eyum of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate. Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Mrs. Danture thanked the Federal Government, OHCSF and NSITF, describing the compensation as a timely intervention that offers relief, hope and reassurance to affected workers and their families.