Joy Agwunobi
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has given its nod to the continuation of the Group Life Insurance Scheme for employees of the Federal Government, encompassing high-ranking public officials such as the President, Vice President, ministers, permanent secretaries, and all civil servants across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) funded by the national treasury.
This approval, which pertains to the 2025/2026 policy year, was disclosed by Didi Walson-Jack, the head of the civil service of the Federation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja following the Council’s 27th meeting.
Walson-Jack explained that the scheme is designed to offer financial support to the families of deceased federal public servants, ensuring that their next of kin receive compensation as part of the federal government’s social protection framework. “The Federal Government has secured a life insurance policy for every public servant. In the unfortunate event of death, their next of kin will be entitled to a payout to ease the burden of loss,” she stated.
Beyond core civil servants, the insurance coverage extends to personnel of key paramilitary and uniformed services. These include the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
As part of the policy implementation, the government has appointed 17 insurance underwriters to manage the scheme. The policy operates on an annual basis and is set to commence upon payment of the required premiums—consistent with the Federal Government’s directive of “no premium, no cover.”
Walson-Jack emphasised that while the scheme has been in existence for several years and across multiple administrations, public awareness remains low. “Despite the long-standing nature of this scheme, many public servants are still unaware of its benefits. To address this, my office is preparing to roll out a comprehensive sensitisation campaign in the coming weeks,” she said.
The 2025/2026 insurance cycle will take effect from the date premium payments are made to the selected underwriters and will run for a 12-month period, expiring at the end of 2026. Walson-Jack emphasised that the government’s continued investment in the group life insurance scheme underscores its commitment to the welfare of its workforce and the need to provide a safety net for families affected by the loss of loved ones in service.
