Business

Our Success not measured by Claims and Compensations alone – NSITF

Published

2 years ago

April 3, 2024

Charles Flames

208 Views

… Kano set to key in.

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund has explained that the payment of claims and compensations does not alone measure the success of the organization, as the prevention of accidents is the first process in Employees’ Compensation.

Adegoke Adedeji , Executive Director, Finance and Investment NSITF

“ The prevention of accidents through robust occupational safety and health(OSH) programmes is the first step in the processes of the Employees’ Compensation. The payment of claims and compensations is therefore inversely proportional to this.

The Fund offered the explanation through its Executive Director, Finance and Investment, Adegoke Adediji , while receiving members of the Nigeria Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) on behalf of the Managing Director of the NSITF, Maureen Allagoa Esq.

Adedeji who cleared the air over a recent misconception about the mandate of the NSITF in a section of the press, said, the successes of the Fund cannot alone be measured by the amount paid as claims and compensations because effective OSH programmes slow down workplace accidents.

Adegoke Adedeji , Executive Director, Finance and Investment NSITF

“Measuring the progress of the NSITF by the number of claims and compensations paid is a very poor grasp of our mandate and operations. By ECA 2010, occupational safety and health is in inverse proportion to claims and compensations. When the occupational safety and health programmes (OSH) are top notch and producing results, the rate of workplace accidents that trigger claims and compensations declines. When OSH is not active, the reverse becomes the case.

“A well-managed NSITF primarily seeks the reduction of workplace accidents. This is the first step our management takes through a robust pursuit of occupational safety and health programmes. But if accident occurs, we follow up with rehabilitation. Then payment of claims and compensations, where necessary.

“And the NSITF has been discharging all obligations on the payment of compensations to employees and their dependents for death, injury, disability arising out of or in the course of employment. We rehabilitate those who suffer workplace disabilities.

“In fact, we have a case in hand where we’ve paid close to 70 million at N1.3 million every month and another where the Fund pays about 1.5 million every month and will continue paying till the last child is 21 years of age.

“But while we do this, we intensify accident prevention programmes, even collaborating with other agencies and relevant stakeholders to emplace occupational safety and health(OSH) standards in all workplaces enrolled with the Fund. This is the charge of our active OSH department in our 57 branches and 12 regions across the country.”

Adedeji also affirmed that the current management has a clear road map for the future of the Fund, stating that the NSITF is changing with the times in terms of rules and operations. He, however, insisted that the Fund’s tripartite stakeholders are involved in all major administrative decisions, including the recent introduction of fees for fresh registration and for compliance certificates.

He further assured the Council of Registered Insurance Brokers that the NSITF would consider its request for collaboration, adding that both organisations have similar roles in the world of work.

Earlier in his presentation, the President of the NCRIB, Babatunde Ogunlade, commended the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund(NSITF) for expanding the reach of social security services in the country.

While stating that the visit was to seek areas of partnership and collaboration between the NSITF and a vibrant community of registered insurance brokers across the federation, Ogunlade said the two organizations have a common goal of securing the social security and well-being of all Nigerians.

He said, “We must mention that the NSITF has done very well. Your operations are getting noticed, and people are beginning to see the need to comply with you and understand the essence of the Employees’ compensation in the life of workers.”

“What we bring on board is collaboration. We are far reaching. We have over 600 corporate bodies. We have over 15,000 members. We can collaborate and bring more companies, more money. But you propose a certain percentage we can earn by helping to do the work.

“We can bring in an aggregate of 30 to 50,000 small corporates, they don’t have to be limited, everybody suffers the risk of disability once you have an employee, even if it is two-member employee.

“More SMEs are coming up. The large corporates are things of the past, they will continue to dwindle, except in government agencies. The small corporates are coming up. We will collaborate in this area. Bring brokers on board, and we help you straighten the rough edges and bring in more SMEs into the net.”

Also on hand to receive the visitors were the NSITF’s heads of departments, including the General Manager, General Administration and Services, Jonah Nedemaya, who himself has a vast knowledge of the insurance industry.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has declared that its zeal and commitment to the welfare of the Kano workforce and citizenry have similar intendments with the Employees’ Compensation Scheme of the NSITF.

The Kano State Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, made the declaration while receiving an advocacy team from the Kano Branch of the NSITF led by Haruna Mohammed. Noting that the ECS would further strengthen a range of social security benefits which Kano extends to her people, Musa assured that the state would key into the scheme as well as make the ECS compliance certificate mandatory for contract bidders.

The Head of Service who received the NSITF team in the company of his Permanent Secretary Establishment, Mohammed Jalo, Permanent Secretary, Salaries and Wages, Ibrahim Boyi and Director Administration and General Services, Umma Dallat further requested a detailed proposition to enable the state government to take a position at the earliest date. Among the NSITF team to the Kano State Secretariat were Idi Audu, Ahmed Suka and Abudrahman Tafida.

Related Topics:Featured NSITF Trust Fund

Up Next

Nigerian govt arraigns Binance executive for tax evasion

Don't Miss

Transcorp Group Demonstrates Robust Growth in FY 2023; Revenue Increases By 47.3%, PBT by 93.5%

Click to comment

Business

E- Commerce: bitMART Launches in Nigeria with Same-Day Delivery, Buyer Protection and Merchant Financing

Published

2 hours ago

December 24, 2025

OCHEFA

10 Views

Photo: Left to Right: Amaka Onaibre – Legal Counsel, Dr Eke Eke – Chief Executive Officer, Tolulope Ogungbade – Business Manager & Chief Operating Officer.

bitMART, a new Nigerian-focused e-commerce platform, has officially launched operations, unveiling a suite of innovative features designed to address long-standing challenges facing online shopping and digital commerce across Nigeria and Africa.

Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive Officer of SpringRock Group and founder of bitMART, Dr. Eke Eke, said that the platform was built with a deep understanding of the peculiar realities of the African market, particularly issues around delivery delays, payment security, product quality and access to business capital.

Beyond online marketplace

Dr. Eke emphasised that bitMART is not merely an online marketplace but a technology-driven operating system tailored to manage the infrastructural and logistical challenges unique to the region, while delivering services comparable to global e-commerce standards.

One of the platform’s standout innovations is its same-city, same-day delivery service, aimed at restoring consumer confidence in online shopping.

A gap bitMART intends to close.

Dr. Eke noted that delays in delivery have historically discouraged Nigerians from relying on e-commerce for urgent purchases, a gap bitMART intends to close.

The platform also places strong emphasis on promoting Made-in-Nigeria products, offering buyers access to a wide range of locally produced goods without the restrictions commonly seen on other platforms.

This, according to the founders, will enhance affordability while supporting local manufacturers and merchants

To attract early adopters, bitMART has rolled out multiple promotional incentives. The first 5,000 users to register on the platform will receive a ₦1,000 gift card, while users who successfully refer others that make purchases will earn ₦1,000 per referral, with no cap on earnings.

First-time buyers will also enjoy additional rewards, creating multiple earning opportunities for active users.

Payment Safety

Addressing concerns around payment safety, Dr. Eke explained that bitMART operates a secure escrow-style payment system, ensuring that funds are only released to merchants after buyers confirm receipt and satisfaction using a unique verification code.

This mechanism, he said, provides strong protection against fraud and misrepresentation.

In addition, bitMART has established a robust quality assurance framework to ensure product accuracy and integrity. Items that fail to meet stated standards will be removed from the platform, while goods damaged in transit will be replaced at no cost to the buyer.

The company also pledged to investigate and address the root causes of such incidents to maintain high service standards.

bitMART’s customer service architecture

Dr. Eke emphasized that bitMART’s customer service architecture is deliberately buyer-centric, with centralized handling of interactions to ensure consistency, professionalism and fairness across the platform.

Beyond buyers, bitMART is also positioning itself as a growth partner for merchants.

In response to a question on its merchant financing model, Dr Eke disclosed that the platform plans to offer loans to active merchants after six months of operation, based on transaction history, cash flow and conduct on the platform.

He noted that access to affordable credit remains a major obstacle for Nigerian businesses, adding that bitMART’s financing model is designed to provide practical and sustainable loan terms, in contrast to the high interest rates typically charged by commercial banks.

Present at the launch

Also present at the launch were Mrs Tolu Ogungbade, Business Manager and Chief Operating Officer of bitMART, and Mrs Amaka Onaibre, Legal Adviser, who both reaffirmed the company’s commitment to transparency, compliance and long-term value creation for users and partners.

With its official launch, bitMART is now live and open to users across Nigeria, positioning itself as a technology-enabled commerce platform focused on speed, trust, local content and economic empowerment.

Business

Heirs Energies Secures $750 Million Financing from Afreximbank for Expansion

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2025

Charles Flames

76 Views

Heirs Energies Limited, Nigeria’s leading indigenous integrated energy company, has secured a $750 million financing facility from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

The deal was finalized during a signing ceremony in Abuja on December 20, 2025, attended by Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Chairman of Heirs Energies, and Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of Afreximbank.

This transaction marks one of the largest financings ever obtained by an indigenous African energy firm, underscoring strong confidence in Heirs Energies’ operational track record, governance, brownfield expertise, and future growth potential.

Since taking over operatorship of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 17, Heirs Energies has implemented a rigorous turnaround strategy, emphasizing production recovery, asset integrity, and efficiency gains.

Through targeted interventions and infrastructure upgrades, the company has shifted from acquisition-focused funding to a sustainable capital structure suited to long-term reserve development.

Production has doubled since acquisition, rising from 25,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and 50 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscf/d) to more than 50,000 bopd and 120 mmscf/d currently. All gas output is supplied to Nigeria’s domestic market, playing a key role in supporting national power generation.

The company has also overhauled community engagement and upheld top-tier health and safety standards.

The new Afreximbank facility will fund accelerated field development, production optimization, and strategic growth initiatives, all while adhering to strict capital discipline.Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Chairman of Heirs Energies, commented: “This transaction is a powerful affirmation of what African enterprise can achieve when backed by disciplined execution and long-term African capital.

It reflects the successful journey Heirs Energies has taken—from turnaround to growth—and reinforces our belief in African capital working for African businesses. This is Africa financing Africa’s future.

”Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of Afreximbank, added: “Afreximbank is proud to support Heirs Energies at this pivotal stage of its growth.

This financing reflects our confidence in the company’s leadership, governance, and asset base, and aligns with our mandate to support African champions driving sustainable economic transformation across the continent.

”The deal highlights Afreximbank’s commitment to empowering indigenous operators capable of advancing energy security, sustainable development, and economic value throughout Africa.

With this funding in place, Heirs Energies is well-positioned for its next growth phase, prioritizing operational excellence, responsible resource management, and lasting stakeholder value.

Heirs Energies Limited is Africa’s leading indigenous-owned integrated energy company, dedicated to addressing the continent’s energy demands while advancing global sustainability objectives. It emphasizes innovation, environmental stewardship, and community development in the evolving energy sector.

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral institution focused on financing and promoting intra- and extra-African trade, supporting industrialization, trade growth, and economic transformation.

Business

Dangote: A Dogged and Fierce Fighter for Local Industries Survival

Nigeria aims to reduce reliance on imported refined fuels by 2024/2025, transitioning to self- sufficiency through the Dangote Refinery and rehabilitated refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, with plans to become a net exporter.

Published

5 days ago

December 18, 2025

OCHEFA

104 Views

By OCHEFA

Africa’s billionaire Aliko Dangote, an astute industrialist, is always attentive to the environment around him, embodying the idiom” ears to the ground.

His investments in Nigeria and the other African countries span cement, sugar, petrochemicals, fertilisers and his latest venture, a $20 billion petroleum refinery in the Lekki free trade zone in Lagos.Six months ago, Dangote stepped down as the Chairman of the Dangote Group’s Board on July 25, 2025.

Anthony Chiejina, the Group’s Chief of Branding and Communications, explained that this move allows Dangote to focus more on the refinery, petrochemicals, Fertiliser, and government relations, to elevate the company’s five- year plan to new heights.

Subsequently, Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non- executive director, was appointed Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc.

With his keen awareness of global and local oil and gas developments, Dangote closely monitors issues affecting his refinery’s operations.

He relies on a team of experts to keep him informed, and he responds fiercely against policies threatening his interests.

A current example is his public dispute with Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

With his keen awareness of global and local oil and gas developments, Dangote closely monitors issues affecting his refinery’s operations.

Recently, Dangote accused NMDPRA of economic sabotage, criticising its continued issuance of import licences for petroleum products- licenses totalling approximately 7. 5 billion litres of PMS for early 2026- despite Nigeria’s growing refining capacity.

He claimed this undermines local refining, sustains Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports, and discourages local investments.

Dangote also alleged collusion between NMDPRA and international traders, which the regulator has denied.

Policies like a proposed 15% duty aim to make imports more expensive and accelerate this transition.

Dangote insists that he seeks accountability, not removal, calling for an investigation into NMDPRA’ s actions.

Following Dangote’s accusations,Ahmed resigned, acknowledging awareness of allegations against him and his family, which have attracted public attention.

He stated he avoided public disputes due to the sensitive nature of his regulatory role but welcomed a formal investigation to clear his name.

President Tinubu then asked the Senate to approve new CEOS for NMDPRA and NUPRC- Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed and Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan, respectively.