Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the Nigerian government’s dedication to the welfare of organised labour, inclusive economic policies, and ongoing wage reforms.
Speaking on Thursday during a meeting with a delegation led by the visiting Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Gilbert Houngbo, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, Shettima emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to fostering a thriving workforce and an efficient labour ecosystem.
Acknowledging Nigeria’s vibrant labour movement and its contributions to national development, Shettima said, “We have a very dynamic labour movement led by a competent and patriotic Nigerian. President Tinubu is deeply committed to the well-being of Nigerian workers. We have increased the minimum wage, and most states have already begun its implementation. Some have even exceeded the N70,000 benchmark set at the national level. I commend the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for their statesmanship and dedication to workers’ rights.”
The Vice President highlighted Nigeria’s potential to bridge global talent gaps, citing the country’s youthful population as a significant advantage.
“One in four black men is 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. With the right policies, we can turn this demographic bulge into a demographic dividend rather than a crisis,” he stated.
Shettima assured the ILO delegation of the government’s commitment to inclusive labour policies, fair wages, and economic growth. “We will continue to engage with our partners in the labour movement to drive progress. We are all patriots working together to build a stronger Nigeria,” he said.
He further assured the delegation that President Tinubu, whom he described as an activist at heart, would be briefed on their requests upon his return to the country.
In his remarks, ILO Director-General Houngbo expressed gratitude to the Vice President for the warm reception, noting that his visit to Nigeria was long overdue given the country’s strategic role within the ILO. He also recalled Nigeria’s critical support for his election, saying, “Without the mobilisation of the Nigerian government and its social partners, my election would have been extremely challenging. Nigeria played a key role in rallying African constituents to support my candidacy.”
Houngbo urged the Federal Government to expedite the finalisation of labour code reforms and sought Shettima’s support for reviving the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC), a tripartite forum for social dialogue.
The meeting was attended by key government officials, including Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Salihu Usman; Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, Silas Agara; Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Baffa Dan Agundi; Director-General of the Michael Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies, Isa Aremu; Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero; and the 1st National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim-Okon, among others.
