The Taraba State Government has paid ₦5 billion to pensioners and commenced full adoption of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) to strengthen worker welfare and social protection.
The Employees’ Compensation Scheme, managed by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, provides compensation for workers who suffer injury, disability or death in the course of duty.
State governments across Nigeria have been encouraged to adopt the scheme as part of broader efforts to improve labour protection and institutional welfare systems.
The move by Taraba aligns with ongoing national efforts to strengthen workplace safety and ensure that employees are adequately covered under statutory insurance frameworks.
The development followed a visit to Jalingo by the Managing Director of the NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, who met with Governor Agbu Kefas to deepen collaboration on the scheme.
Faleye described the ECS as a “critical social protection instrument” that ensures support for workers in cases of injury or death, adding that it also strengthens trust in public institutions.
He proposed measures to expand compliance, including integrating ECS certification into public procurement processes such as contract bidding and contractor registration.
The NSITF boss also recommended the creation of a joint technical framework between the state and the agency to drive implementation and monitor progress.
In response, Governor Kefas confirmed that the state had already paid ₦5 billion in pensions and stated that efforts are ongoing to clear outstanding liabilities.
“Taraba State Government is ready to partner with NSITF to ensure you fulfill your mandate,” the governor said, adding that relevant ministries would be engaged to support implementation.
He also approved the establishment of a committee to ensure full compliance with the ECS across ministries, departments and agencies.
The pension payout provides financial relief to retirees and addresses part of outstanding obligations in the state’s pension system.
Adoption of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme is expected to improve workplace protection for employees and ensure that employers comply with statutory insurance requirements.
For businesses and contractors, the proposed enforcement of ECS compliance in procurement processes may introduce stricter labour and insurance standards.
