By Dr Emmanuel Ulayi 

When delegates from across West Africa converged on the Abuja Continental Hotel on April 22–23, 2026, the agenda was clear but ambitious: to rewire how social security services will reach the people who need them most. For two days, the International Social Security Association (ISSA) 2026 West Africa Technical Seminar placed one tool at the centre of that mission — effective communication. 

The seminar brought together key stakeholders to confront persistent gaps in reach and understanding, and to position communication as the bridge to truly inclusive coverage.

Under the theme, “Improving inclusiveness and accessibility of social security services through effective communication in West Africa,” policymakers and administrators reflected on a simple but powerful question: what good is a safety net if the people it is meant to protect do not know it exists or cannot access it? 

For millions across West Africa, social security remains a distant promise—lost in complex forms, unfamiliar language, or simply lack of awareness. 

The gathering united social security institutions around a shared goal: to use clearer and more effective communication to break down barriers and make services genuinely inclusive and accessible to all.

One key takeaway from ISSA 2026 was that social security in West Africa still faces a significant coverage gap. 

However, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) presented a practical response. 

At the seminar, NSITF showcased how it expanded from covering office workers to enrolling market traders, artisans, and gig workers—groups previously considered “too difficult to reach.” This shift is technical, political, and deeply practical, and it is raising a new question across ECOWAS: if Nigeria can achieve this, why can’t others?

Setting the tone for the seminar, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NSITF,  Oluwaseun Faleye, in his welcome address, described the gathering as an important moment of continuity within the ISSA West Africa family. 

He recalled that in 2025, colleagues from the Republic of Guinea hosted the ISSA West Africa Technical Session in Conakry. “My team and I were privileged to attend that meeting, which brought together sister institutions across the sub-region in a spirit of openness, peer learning, and regional solidarity. The discussions were reflective of our shared realities—coverage gaps, informality, financing pressures, and the accelerating pace of change in the world of work.”

He said the theme of the seminar speaks directly to the present moment: accessibility, effectiveness, inclusiveness, and the strategic use of digitisation in social security administration.

 According to him, these are not abstract ideals but practical measures of whether institutions can keep pace with the changing lives and livelihoods of the people they are meant to protect.

He explained further: “Accessibility challenges us to rethink how services reach workers outside traditional employment structures. Effectiveness demands that benefits are delivered promptly, transparently, and predictably, because delays erode trust and inefficiency weakens credibility. Inclusiveness requires that women, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, and those in informal and non-standard employment are not treated as marginal, but as central to our mandate. Digitisation offers powerful tools, but only when guided by sound policy, institutional discipline, and fairness.”

He emphasised that Nigeria, with its large youthful population, dynamic labour market, and one of Africa’s largest informal economies, requires a strong and responsive social protection system. He noted that NSITF, under the Employees’ Compensation Act of 2010, is statutorily mandated to provide compensation for work-related injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities, and death.

“At NSITF, we recognise that delivering on this mandate requires deliberate transformation. Over the years, we have embarked on a digital journey, moving away from fragmented paper-based processes toward integrated systems that enhance integrity, improve service delivery, and strengthen public confidence. We are investing in platforms that support faster claims processing, improved data management, stronger actuarial planning, and more transparent engagement with employers and beneficiaries.

“At the same time, we remain clear-eyed about the challenges. Digital transformation is not a one-off project; it is continuous and requires skills, governance, cybersecurity, and institutional culture. This is why gatherings such as this Technical Session are invaluable. They allow us to learn from one another, adopt tested solutions, and avoid costly missteps.”

The MD commended ISSA for providing a platform for collaboration, saying: “ISSA has long provided a vital platform for exchange. Through its standards, guidelines, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms, it has helped social security institutions navigate complexity with confidence. We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in Nigeria and NSITF to host this session, and we do not take that trust lightly.”

Declaring the seminar open, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said West Africa stands at a historic crossroads as one of the youngest regions in the world, blessed with immense human energy, entrepreneurial drive, and demographic potential. However, he noted that vulnerability remains widespread.

“Yet we are also a region where vulnerability remains a daily reality for millions—vulnerability to economic transitions, health shocks, workplace accidents, unemployment, and the quiet insecurity that follows uncertainty,” he said.

He stressed that social security is not theoretical but a critical bridge between stability and despair. He acknowledged that Nigeria’s journey has involved reforms and continuous renewal.

He noted that over 10 million Nigerian workers are contributing to the Contributory Pension Scheme, with pension assets exceeding N25 trillion, according to the National Pension Commission.

“These figures are impressive, but the true success of pension reform is not measured in trillions of naira. It is measured in trust—the confidence that after a lifetime of work, retirement will bring dignity, not hardship.”

He added that under the NSITF, over 7.5 million workers are now covered under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, ensuring protection against workplace injuries and related risks.

President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said the Renewed Hope Agenda is aimed at restoring opportunity, protecting livelihoods, and rebuilding economic confidence.

On communication, the President stated: “Communication is not public relations. It is the bridge between government and citizens. It is the architecture of trust.”

He stressed that effective communication must be culturally relevant and reflect how people actually receive and share information.

He added that West Africa must not simply copy global models but design systems that reflect local realities, especially the strength of the informal sector.

“When communication improves, trust grows. When trust grows, compliance improves. When compliance improves, coverage expands. And when coverage expands, poverty and vulnerability decline.”

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, described social security as a pillar of social justice and economic stability, noting the need to adapt systems to technological and labour market changes.

He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening oversight of NSITF to ensure alignment with international best practices.

In a goodwill message, Dr. Vanessa Phala of the International Labour Organization (ILO) reiterated support for ECOWAS member states in building inclusive and accessible social protection systems, stressing that social security is both a human right and an economic necessity.

ILO Secretary-General Mr. Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano praised Nigeria and NSITF for their collaboration and noted ISSA’s global network of more than 340 member institutions across 165 countries.

He said the seminar reflects ISSA’s mission to promote knowledge sharing, networking, and universal access to social security.

The ISSA 2026 seminar ended on a high note, attended by delegates from across the world, including representatives of governments, social security institutions, development partners, and diplomatic missions.