Tinubu Pushes Urgent Social Security Reforms In West Africa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for urgent reforms to strengthen social security systems across West Africa, warning that millions remain exposed to economic shocks, job loss and workplace risks due to limited access and weak communication frameworks.

Represented by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the President made the call on Wednesday while declaring open the 2026 West Africa Technical Seminar of the International Social Security Association in Abuja.

Addressing participants on the theme “Improving Inclusiveness and Accessibility of Social Security Services through Effective Communication in West Africa,” Tinubu stressed that social protection must move beyond policy frameworks to deliver real impact for citizens.

“Social security matters not as theory, but as the thin line between stability and despair,” he said, noting that a single accident, illness or job loss can erase years of financial progress for many families.

Tinubu pointed to ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s social security architecture, highlighting improvements in pensions, workplace compensation and healthcare coverage.

According to him, over 10 million workers are enrolled under the contributory pension scheme managed by the National Pension Commission, with assets surpassing ₦25 trillion — a signal of growing public trust.

He added that more than 7.5 million employees are covered by the Employees’ Compensation Scheme of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, while over 16 million Nigerians now have access to healthcare through the National Health Insurance Authority.

“These figures are not just statistics; they represent confidence that workers will not be abandoned after years of service,” the President said.

He also cited intervention programmes such as the National Directorate of Employment and N-Power as key drivers of job creation and skills development, alongside housing and social welfare initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable populations.

In a related address, Minister of Labour and Employment Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi described social security as central to economic stability.

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He said strong social protection systems are essential for promoting social justice, industrial harmony and sustainable growth, particularly amid rapid technological changes and the expansion of informal employment across the region.

Dingyadi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening institutions under the ministry’s supervision, especially the NSITF, to improve worker protection and service delivery.

Earlier, Managing Director of the NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, underscored the urgency of innovation and collaboration in reforming social security systems.

He noted that West Africa’s youthful population and large informal sector present both opportunities and challenges for inclusive coverage.

“Accessibility, effectiveness, inclusiveness and digitalisation are not abstract ideas; they are practical measures of whether institutions can keep pace with the lives of the people we serve,” Faleye said.

He disclosed that the NSITF is undergoing digital transformation to improve claims processing, data management and service delivery, while cautioning that technology must be backed by strong governance and institutional capacity.

Stakeholders at the seminar were urged to prioritise practical solutions, knowledge sharing and regional collaboration to strengthen social protection systems.

The two-day ISSA West Africa Technical Seminar has brought together policymakers, experts and development partners to explore strategies for improving access, inclusiveness and public trust in social security frameworks across the region.