By Mackie M. Jalloh
Under the visionary leadership of Director General Mohamed Fuaad Dabor, the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) has undergone a remarkable transformation—modernizing its operations, improving the lives of pensioners, expanding national coverage, and restoring public confidence in Sierra Leone’s social security system.
Once viewed with skepticism due to delays and bureaucratic challenges, NASSIT has emerged as one of the most effective and responsive public institutions in the country. Through strategic reforms and people-centered leadership, DG Dabor has redefined the role of social security in Sierra Leone—not just as a safety net, but as a pillar of national development and dignity.
Since assuming office, DG Dabor has championed a comprehensive reform agenda that focuses on digital transformation, service delivery, investment efficiency, and coverage expansion for both formal and informal workers. His administration’s commitment to transparency and efficiency has yielded visible results in just a few years.
One of the most praised reforms is the automation of the pensions and benefits system. Pensioners now receive their monthly payments promptly through bank transfers, eliminating delays, reducing corruption, and improving the overall experience for elderly citizens.
“This is the first time in years I’ve received my pension without stress,” said a retiree from Kenema. “NASSIT is finally working for us.”
Under DG Dabor’s leadership, NASSIT has also expanded its services to previously neglected groups. Through tailored outreach and voluntary contribution schemes, market women, okada riders, and other self-employed workers are now being integrated into the social security system—giving them access to retirement, survivor, and invalidity benefits.
Customer care has also improved significantly. NASSIT offices across the country have been upgraded with trained personnel and better equipment. More importantly, the Trust has deepened its community engagement efforts, organizing district-level awareness campaigns and stakeholder dialogues to demystify social security and encourage public participation.
On the investment front, DG Dabor has taken a strategic, development-focused approach. Moving away from questionable ventures of the past, NASSIT’s current investment portfolio is focused on affordable housing, real estate development, and infrastructure projects that address national needs while ensuring value for contributors’ funds. Notable examples include the housing projects currently underway in Bo, Kono, and Port Loko, designed to address Sierra Leone’s housing deficit and generate long-term revenue.
Internally, NASSIT has prioritized institutional reform. DG Dabor has championed staff training, performance-based evaluations, and ethical accountability, ensuring that NASSIT personnel operate at high professional standards. The Trust’s annual audits are now aligned with international reporting norms, earning praise from partners such as the International Social Security Association (ISSA).
In a recent speech, DG Dabor reaffirmed his commitment to making NASSIT more accessible, responsive, and impactful:
“NASSIT is more than a benefits-paying agency—it is a national institution with a duty to improve the lives of contributors and retirees. We are building a system where no worker is left behind, and no pensioner is forgotten.”
Public perception of NASSIT has improved considerably under his leadership. Civil society groups, labor unions, and pensioners’ associations have commended the reforms and praised DG Dabor’s people-first approach.
Today, NASSIT under Mohamed Fuaad Dabor stands as a model of good governance, fiscal prudence, and social impact. With sustained political will and stakeholder collaboration, the Trust is on track to become a regional leader in social security administration.
DG Dabor’s leadership marks a new era—one where reliability, inclusivity, and accountability define the future of retirement protection in Sierra Leone.
