The Director General of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), Chernor Mustapha Jalloh, has called on media practitioners across Sierra Leone to strengthen their collaboration with the Trust in promoting public awareness of social security, improving compliance with the national pension scheme and protecting NASSIT’s assets.
Chernor Mustapha Jalloh made the appeal during a media cocktail held on Wednesday, 21st October 2026, at Country Lodge in Freetown, bringing together journalists and representatives of the Trust to discuss its operations, responsibilities and efforts to improve service delivery.
The engagement formed part of NASSIT’s broader efforts to strengthen relations with media institutions and ensure that the public receives accurate information about the importance of social security contributions, pension benefits and the obligations of employers and employees under the national pension scheme.
Addressing journalists, Chernor Mustapha Jalloh described the media as an important partner in advancing the Trust’s mandate, noting that effective public communication remains essential to improving understanding of social security and encouraging greater participation in the scheme.
He explained that NASSIT was established to administer Sierra Leone’s national pension scheme, providing social security protection to eligible workers and ensuring that qualifying members and beneficiaries receive benefits in accordance with the law.
According to Chernor Mustapha Jalloh, journalists have a responsibility to educate the public about the operations of the Trust, particularly the importance of regular contributions, employers’ compliance with statutory obligations and the benefits available to registered members.
He maintained that greater public understanding of social security would help strengthen confidence in the national pension system and encourage employers and workers to fulfil their respective responsibilities.
Highlighting developments within the institution, Chernor Mustapha Jalloh disclosed that since assuming office, he had introduced several administrative and operational measures aimed at strengthening internal procedures, improving efficiency and enhancing service delivery to members and pensioners.
He said the ongoing improvements were intended to make the institution more responsive to the needs of contributors and beneficiaries while ensuring that NASSIT continues to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
The Director General also expressed concern over encroachment on properties belonging to the Trust, urging journalists to support public education efforts aimed at protecting NASSIT’s investments and other assets.
Chernor Mustapha Jalloh emphasized that Trust-owned land and properties must be safeguarded in the interest of contributors and pensioners, stressing that their protection requires cooperation among relevant authorities, communities, media institutions and other stakeholders.
He encouraged journalists to raise awareness about the consequences of unlawful encroachment and the importance of respecting property rights, particularly where such properties form part of investments intended to support the sustainability of the national pension scheme.
During the engagement, Chernor Mustapha Jalloh expressed appreciation to President Julius Maada Bio for his continued support towards the operations and development of NASSIT.
He also commended the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, for collaborating with the Trust to facilitate the media engagement, describing the partnership as important in strengthening communication between public institutions and citizens.
The Director General reiterated that sustained media engagement would contribute significantly to improving public understanding of the Trust’s mandate, strengthening accountability and promoting compliance with social security requirements.
He encouraged journalists to continue providing accurate and balanced information about NASSIT’s operations while helping employers, workers and the wider public appreciate the importance of social security protection.
The engagement underscored NASSIT’s commitment to strengthening institutional transparency, improving stakeholder relations and working with the media to promote a more informed and compliant social security system in Sierra Leone.
