Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to workers’ welfare, inclusive economic policies, and wage reforms, emphasizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to fostering a thriving workforce.
Shettima made this known on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation led by the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammad Dingyadi, according to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President).
He commended Nigeria’s vibrant labour movement and its role in national development, saying, “We have a very vibrant labour movement, led by a competent and patriotic Nigerian. President Tinubu is deeply passionate about the welfare of Nigerian workers. We raised the minimum wage, and most states have started implementing it. Some have even gone beyond the N70,000 agreed at the national level. I commend the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for their statesmanship and commitment to workers’ rights.”
Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s potential in the global labour market, citing the country’s youthful population as a key advantage.
“One in four black men is a Nigerian, and by 2050, we will surpass the United States to become the third most populous nation on earth. The average age in Nigeria is 16.9 years. We have a demographic bulge, but with the right policies, we can transform it into a demographic dividend rather than a demographic disaster,” he said.
He also emphasized the need to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to thrive in an evolving global economy, acknowledging the shift from traditional jobs to emerging opportunities.
The Vice President assured the ILO delegation of the Federal Government’s dedication to fair wages, inclusive labour policies, and economic progress.
“We will continue to engage with our friends in the labour movement to ensure progress. We are all patriots and partners in building a stronger Nigeria,” he stated.
Shettima also assured Houngbo that President Tinubu, whom he described as an “activist,” would be briefed on the delegation’s concerns upon his return.
Earlier, ILO DG Houngbo expressed gratitude to the Vice President for receiving the delegation, noting that his visit to Nigeria was long overdue.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s strategic role in the ILO, particularly during its presidency of the ILO Board of Directors from June 2023 to June 2024.
He also recalled Nigeria’s support for his election as ILO Director-General, saying, “Without the mobilisation of the government of Nigeria and social partners in the country, my election would have been very difficult. Nigeria mobilised a lot of the African constituents in ensuring my election.”
Houngbo urged the Federal Government to fast-track the finalisation of the reform of the labour code and sought Shettima’s support for reviving the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC), a forum for social dialogue among Nigeria’s tripartite labour constituents.
“We believe that, given the dynamism of the labour market in Nigeria, its population, ambition, and role in Africa, having the NLAC revived will really be beneficial to all,” he added.
The meeting was attended by key government and labour officials, including the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Salihu Usman; Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, Mr. Silas Agara; Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Hon. Baffa Dan Agundi; and the Director-General of the Michael Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies, Comrade Isa Aremu.
Labour leaders present included the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the 1st National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Tommy Etim-Okon, among others.
As Nigeria pushes forward with its labour and wage reforms, Shettima’s assurances signal a strengthened partnership between the government and organised labour. With continued dialogue and policy implementation, the administration aims to improve workers’ welfare, boost employment opportunities, and enhance Nigeria’s role in the global labour market.
