At 23rd Annual Thanksgiving Service… NASSIT Reaffirms Commitment to Expanding Social Security Coverage for Informal Sector Workers
The Director General of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), Mohamed Funday Daboh, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to expanding social security coverage to workers in Sierra Leone’s informal sector, describing it as the largest and most critical segment of the country’s workforce.
Mr. Daboh made the announcement during NASSIT’s 23rd Annual Christian and Muslim Thanksgiving Service, held in January this year as part of the institution’s tradition of expressing gratitude and seeking divine guidance for the year ahead.
The joint thanksgiving services brought together staff, stakeholders, and religious leaders, underscoring NASSIT’s commitment to inclusivity, unity, and national cohesion. The Muslim service took place at the Jammatul Ilmo-Zikr Mosque, Hill Station, Freetown, at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, 9 January 2026, while a corresponding Christian service was held earlier.
In his address, Mr. Daboh emphasized that extending social security protection to informal sector workers remains a top priority for NASSIT, noting that millions of Sierra Leoneans—traders, artisans, drivers, farmers, and small-scale entrepreneurs—remain outside the formal pension system.
He explained that NASSIT is actively working on practical and sustainable mechanisms to design a scheme that reflects the unique nature of informal employment, including flexible contribution arrangements and simplified registration processes.
According to Mr. Daboh, expanding coverage to the informal sector will not only improve income security in old age but also strengthen national savings, enhance economic stability, and reduce vulnerability among workers and their families.
He further assured staff and the public that NASSIT remains committed to transparency, innovation, and service delivery, as the institution continues to modernize its operations in line with international best practices.
The thanksgiving service also featured prayers for peace, national development, and institutional success, with religious leaders calling for integrity, unity, and dedication in public service.
NASSIT’s annual Christian and Muslim thanksgiving has, over the years, become a symbol of religious tolerance and shared national purpose, reflecting Sierra Leone’s long-standing culture of peaceful coexistence.
