Bill to establish Social Security Commission passes second reading in Senate

A bill seeking to empower vulnerable Nigerians with social security benefits has passed second reading in the Senate.

The bill sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, (APC-Delta) seeks to establish the National Social Security Commission (NASSCOM) to regulate, manage and administer social security benefits to eligible Nigeria.

Omo-Agege in his lead debate explained that out of the nine domains listed in the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No.102) of the International Labour Organisation, only benefit was statutorily covered in the country.

According to him, when the bill is passed into law, Nigerians will receive periodic social security benefits from the Commission.

Omo-Agege said those to benefit include Nigerians with several medical conditions, those incapacitated to work, unemployed citizens, senior citizens (70 years and above), families who had lost their breadwinners, widows incapable of self-support among others,

He said the bill aimed to reduce poverty by providing a strong social safety net for vulnerable groups and serve as a model of governance reform anchored on the principles of transparency and accountability.

“Nigeria is a signatory to the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).”

“This convention articulates globally-agreed minimum social security standards nine domains.”

“Except employment injury benefit that is already statutorily covered in Nigeria, eight of the domains are uncovered, and they are the focus of this bill.”

“Consistent with Convention No. 102, which allows nations to enact social security laws based on their peculiarities but without prejudice to the global minimum standards.”

“This bill seeks to provide a comprehensive legal and governance framework for the proper administration of an inclusive national social security protection system that offers adjustable periodic benefits to eligible Nigerians who face improvidence arising from the eight uncovered domains.”

“This bill seeks to establish a Commission which shall, amongst others, determine the beneficiaries of social security benefits across the country, taking into consideration available resources, equity, severity of ascertained improvident conditions and contingencies.

“It will also include such other factors that will promote national peace, unity and security through the social security system,” he said.

In their separate contributions, Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (APC-Kebbi) and Deputy Chief Whip, Aliyu Sabi (APC- Niger), supported the bill.

“This is another people-centred legislation, it will be a landmark legislation that Nigerians will remember this Ninth Senate for.”

“I therefore urge my colleagues to support this bill,” Sabi said.

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, referred the bill to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service for further work after passing second reading.

The Committee was given four weeks to report back to plenary.