The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT ) has ushered in new leadership, with Chernor Mamoud Jalloh assuming the Director General’s office as Mohamed Fuaad Daboh ends his seven-year tenure.

The leadership transition took place Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at NASSIT headquarters on Walpole Street in Freetown. The ceremony also saw Isata Marah hand over the chairpersonship of the NASSIT Board to Janneh Jabati.

Daboh used his farewell address to call on the incoming leadership to protect the sustainability of Sierra Leone’s social security system and maintain contributors and pensioners as the institution’s central priority.

Reflecting on his tenure, Daboh described leading NASSIT as one of the greatest professional honours of his life. He said the role placed him at the head of an institution responsible for protecting workers’ contributions and retirement security.

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Daboh said his administration, appointed by President Julius Maada Bio in May 2018, focused on governance, financial discipline, innovation, efficiency, transparency and accountability.

He pointed to NASSIT’s information and communications technology transformation as one of the major initiatives undertaken during his tenure. According to Daboh, the program was designed to modernise operations, simplify processes and improve access to services.

He also highlighted the development of a draft bill aimed at extending social security coverage to informal-sector workers. Daboh said the proposed expansion could bring millions of people who operate outside the formal economy into the social security system.

The outgoing Director General also cited NASSIT’s expansion into the districts, including the establishment of offices in Bo and Port Loko, as part of efforts to bring services closer to contributors and pensioners.

He further identified stronger engagement with workers, employers, pensioners, trade unions and development partners, alongside increased staff training and professional development, among the administration’s accomplishments.

On the international front, Daboh said NASSIT had strengthened its participation in the International Social Security Association and the Association of Social Security Administrations of Africa, where Sierra Leone holds the vice presidency.

Daboh thanked President Bio, successive Ministers of Employment, Labour and Social Security, the NASSIT Board and staff, contributors, pensioners, employers, development partners and the media for their support.

He also congratulated Jalloh and expressed confidence that the new Director General would build on the institution’s progress.

“Behind every contribution is a worker’s hope and a family’s future. Serve every contributor with respect and every pensioner with compassion,” Daboh said.

Jalloh, in his first address as Director General, pledged to run NASSIT with integrity, professionalism, accountability, efficiency and prudent management.

He thanked President Bio for appointing him and Parliament for approving his nomination, while commending Daboh for his service and the orderly handover.

Jalloh said he would initially focus on understanding the institution before introducing major changes. He said he plans to work with the Board, Management, employees and the supervising Ministry to assess NASSIT’s financial, operational and technological position.

The new Director General also recognised the institutional experience accumulated since NASSIT began operations in 2001 and assured employees that he would work alongside them.

However, he reminded staff that their primary obligation remains to contributors and pensioners, who expect efficient services, responsible management and timely payment of benefits.

“Above all, they expect to be able to trust this institution. That is why it is called a trust,” he stated.

Jalloh said he intends to build a financially strong, professionally managed, efficient, transparent and trusted institution, adding that cooperation among the Board, Management and staff would be essential in addressing future challenges.

The change in leadership also affected NASSIT’s Board. Outgoing Chairperson Isata Marah said the institution remained strong and that its best days were ahead.

Marah, who took over the chairpersonship in March 2026, said she focused on gaining a firsthand understanding of NASSIT’s operations and investments.

She said the Board reviewed investments in Freetown and the provinces and held a retreat involving NASSIT subsidiaries. According to Marah, the engagements allowed the Board Investment Committee to develop recommendations and action points to address concerns identified during the reviews.

Marah, who is leaving to take up another responsibility at the Ministry of Finance, said the incoming leadership was inheriting established structures and experienced personnel.

Incoming Board Chairperson Janneh Jabati pledged to build on the work of her predecessor, with particular emphasis on NASSIT’s investments and the long-term sustainability of the pension scheme.

Jabati, who previously served at the Ministry of Finance and has financial-sector experience, thanked President Bio for the confidence placed in her and pledged to work diligently in the interest of Sierra Leone.

Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security Mohamed Rahman Swarray assured the new Board and Management of the Ministry’s continued support.

Swarray described the transition as emotional and praised Daboh for his contribution to NASSIT. He cited biometric registration, decentralisation of services and the expansion of regional offices among developments achieved during the outgoing administration.

The minister said the transition should be viewed as continuity within the same administration and urged the new leadership to preserve and strengthen existing gains.

Swarray also disclosed that the Government and NASSIT are pursuing reforms to improve social security administration and pension benefits. He said proposed legislative amendments would seek to make pension benefits more responsive to changes in workers’ incomes and the national minimum wage.

He urged the new leadership to prioritise financial sustainability, effective oversight and responsible investment, emphasising that many pensioners depend heavily on NASSIT benefits.

The minister further stressed the need to expand social security coverage among informal-sector workers, describing the move as important to reducing vulnerability and strengthening economic resilience.

He encouraged the new Board and Management to preserve NASSIT’s institutional team spirit while improving service delivery and protecting contributors’ funds.