Saboteurs who are unhappy about the ongoing reforms in the Nigerian Safety Insurance Trust Fund are responsible for the recent malicious attacks on the Managing Director of the Fund, Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, officials have said.
They are disrupted by the ongoing transformation of the Fund, its institutional rebirth, aggressive push for automation, recovery of long-standing debts, and digitisation of operations, the officials stated.
“Experience shows that when loopholes are closed, those who previously benefited from them often react loudly. Unfortunately, this is how resistance to reform frequently manifests.Let it be clearly stated: this is corruption fighting back,” the Fund said in a statement.
The statement punctured allegations of financial impropriety, abuse of office, and diversion of funds against the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Fund.
According to the Fund, the allegations are false, malicious, and unsupported by verifiable facts, and appear to form part of a coordinated attempt to discredit the leadership of the Fund and undermine the far-reaching reforms currently underway.
It said the NSITF operates strictly within a clearly defined statutory, financial, and governance framework under the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA), 2010, the Public Finance Management laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and applicable Treasury, procurement, and audit regulations.
It explained that all funds accruing to the Employees’ Compensation Fund are public trust funds, subject to multilayered internal controls, routine internal and external audits, Management Board oversight, and supervision by relevant government authorities.
It said at at no time has the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer operated, controlled, or had access to NSITF funds outside the approved institutional banking structure of the Fund. NSITF monies are held exclusively in official Fund accounts, and all disbursements pass through established financial controls involving multiple officers, departments, and approval stages.
It added:”With regard to claims about the operation of multiple bank accounts linked to a single Bank Verification Number (BVN), it must be clearly stated that BVN linkage and account administration are regulated by deposit money banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria, not by individual discretion.
“The existence of multiple accounts, many of which are dormant, marked “Post-No-Debit,” or not operational, does not constitute evidence of wrongdoing. Crucially, no credible evidence has been produced showing that NSITF funds were paid into any personal or third-party account.
“The allegation that the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer granted himself “unlimited approval authority” is also misleading and inaccurate. Internal approval frameworks within public institutions operate strictly within statutory financial regulations, procurement laws, and Board oversight.
“They do not override approval thresholds prescribed by government circulars, including those issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. No internal decision can lawfully supersede these statutory controls, and no single officer can unilaterally appropriate or expend public funds.
“Claims that expenditures were made without Board approval further reflect a misunderstanding, or deliberate misrepresentation, of public financial administration. Board approval is required for policy direction and annual budgets, while operational expenditures are governed by established statutory and regulatory thresholds.
The NSITF maintains comprehensive documentation of approvals, mandates, and supporting records, all of which remain available for lawful review by authorised oversight bodies.
“On issues relating to vendor payments and commissions, the NSITF reiterates that all engagements under the current administration are undertaken in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act and applicable regulations.Payments are tied to contractual obligations, services rendered, and statutory mandates. Any concerns are appropriately addressed through lawful audit and review processes, not through trial by media.”
The NSITF said it will not be distracted by sponsored mudslinging or sensational narratives designed to undermine public confidence.
It reiterated its mandate of paying claims faster, expanding the social protection safety net for Nigerian workers, strengthening governance, and delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.
It added:”We assure the public unequivocally:
The NSITF is safe. The funds are secure.
Management remains fully committed to transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of the Employees’ Compensation Fund.
“The NSITF welcomes any lawful, independent, and properly constituted inquiry by relevant oversight authorities and will continue to cooperate fully with all statutory review processes.
“The NSITF assures Nigerian workers, employers, and the general public that the integrity of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme remains intact. Claims continue to be paid, statutory obligations are being met, and the Fund remains focused, without distraction, on protecting workers and strengthening social security in Nigeria.”