The Nation Newspaper

Category: Labour

Remain calm, law-abiding, ASCSN urges members

The national leadership of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has called on its members to remain calm and law-abiding as arrangement has been concluded to appeal the judgment of the National Industrial Court (NIC) on the crisis in the union.

In a statement, the association’s Secretary-General, Comrade Joshua Apebo, emphasised that the union would ensure that justice was done on the matter.

It would be recalled that on February 22, 2021, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) arrested and detained Bola-Audu Innocent for alleged human trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable persons.

The union resolved that given the enormity of the case and to save the image of the association and protect his job that Bola-Audu should step aside so that informal channels could be explored by the national leadership of the association with the authorities to give him a soft landing.

Instead of abiding by this wise counsel, Bola-Audu allegedly invaded the headquarters of the association in Lagos, the annex office in Abuja and also sued the association.

He also wrote letters to the banks of the union to put on hold its accounts.

Against this background, the association expelled Bola-Audu.

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It is also necessary to state that the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation also barred him from entering the Treasury House, Abuja while the Federal Civil Service Commission equally suspended him from service but he later smuggled himself back to the Civil Service, the statement added.

It will be recalled that Bola-Audu had sued the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association for illegally removing him.

Although he admitted being arrested by the NAPTIP on allegations of trafficking in person and exploitation of the vulnerable, he told the court that the ASCSN acted and also based his removal on “mere allegation”.

In his motion dated March 12, 2021, the Applicant sought an order of injunction, restraining the respondents from holding the NEC meeting meant to rectify his suspension, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

July 19, 2024
NECA seeks collaboration with Fed Govt

Collaboration with the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has been identified as a key instrument to driving the reforms being introduced by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

This is because the Organised Private Sector is a major stakeholder and a driving force of the growth of the economy.

Director-General of NECA, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said this at the third Nigeria Employers Summit in Abuja.

Oyerinde said Tinubu’s administration, within one year in office, has introduced various reforms that would shape the growth trajectory of the country.

He said the reforms affects everybody, adding that it has affected the private sector, Nigerians and households.

“One of the aims of the summit among many others is not just to interrogate the reforms but to find a way where we can create a deeper nexus between those reforms. It is also to create an environment where the private sector can play a major role in facilitating the achievement of the objectives of those reforms as all reforms have their own objectives,” he said.

Oyerinde said the Federal Government needs credible organisations such as NECA to help drive the reforms to a logical conclusion.

“It is also to let the government know that much can be achieved when we deepen the collaboration with the private sector and government towards the fulfillment of the eight-point agenda of this administration because without the private sector involvement in those reforms, much cannot be achieved,” he added.

On the sidelines of the summit, NECA called for a comprehensive embrace of the green economy for growth and sustainability.

In a message entitled: ‘Green Economy in Today’s Business World,’ NECA outlined basic information on why the green economy should be pursued by the government in collaboration with stakeholders.

The message read: “A green economy fosters sustainable development by minimising environmental impact and conserving natural resources while driving economic growth and social inclusion.

“Transitioning to a green economy is essential for businesses to thrive sustainably, meet market demands and contribute to a resilient future.”

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It added that a green economy will mitigate climate change, preserve biodiversity, stimulate innovation, create jobs and equally enhance resilience. It says that it will also balance growth, conservation, and social equity.

The employers also canvassed that embracing green practices not only benefits the environment but also delivers tangible economic, social and health advantages and also paves the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

NECA also called for practical steps towards the implementation of a green economy. It listed adoption of sustainable practices as the first step.

His words: “Implement energy-efficient technologies to reduce energy consumption and costs. Reduce waste like paperless operations, reusable packaging and proper waste segregation. Promote and encourage recycling programmes for materials like paper, plastic, glass and electronics to minimise landfill waste.

“Define clear objectives by establishing measurable goals; progress tracking and continuation of improvement.

“Internal engagement should revolve around education and empowerment of employees about green practices, encourage participation in sustainability initiatives and recognise achievements. External collaboration with suppliers, consumers and partners to promote sustainability and foster a culture of shared responsibility.”

July 5, 2024
‘Nigeria to eliminate child labour, human trafficking by 2030’

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicate child labour by 2025, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It has pledged to align its efforts with the globally adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, joining 193 United Nations (UN) member states in a commitment to combat modern slavery, human trafficking and the worst forms of child labour, including the use of child soldiers.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha stated this at the third National Children’s Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Abuja.

The minister expressed appreciation for the support of international partners, including the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Government of the Netherlands and the United States Government, in the fight against child labour and forced labour.

She said despite the challenges, Nigeria has made significant progress in addressing child labour, including the ratification of ILO conventions and the establishment of the National Steering Committee on child labour.

The minister acknowledged the alarming global statistics on child labour and forced labour but expressed optimism that with collective efforts, Nigeria can achieve its goal of ending child labour by 2025.

She said: “It is a global menace that has proven to potentially hinder the development of children, leading to a lifelong physical and psychological damage and keeping the children out-of- school, thereby perpetuating poverty across generations. To address this challenge, Nigeria has made giant strides, including the ratification of the ILO conventions 138 on the minimum age for work, 182 on the worst forms of child labour, Conventions 29 and 105 on the abolition of forced labour.

“In line with the conventions, Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended prohibits forced and compulsory labour for any employer, which also defines penalty fees, fines, imprisonment, or a combination of these sanctions for any employer found guilty.

“The review and validation of all relevant laws, regulations and policies that are key and instrumental to the elimination of child labour: the National Policy on Child Labour and the National Action Plan for the elimination of Child Labour for an implementation period of five years; the Compendium of Legal Framework on the elimination of Child Labour and Protection of children in Nigeria; the review of the labour standard bill to mainstream child labour, with special consideration on the adoption of 15 years as the minimum age for work/employment; the establishment and coordination of the National Steering Committee on Child Labour and the State Steering Committee on Child Labour across the 36 states.

“Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment is a Pathfinder Country of Alliance 8.7, committed to achieve the sustainable Development Goals, target 8.7, to end child labour in all its forms by 2025 and forced labour and human trafficking by 2030.”

The conference with the theme, ‘Let’s Act on Our Commitment: End Child Labour,’ brought together stakeholders from across the country to strategise and renew their commitment to combating child labour.

She said with the support of all, Nigeria is determined to ensure that every child has access to education and a safe and secure environment, free from exploitation and labour.

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The ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison for ECOWAS, Vanessa Phala, praised Nigeria for taking steps toward the elimination of child labour.

“One good thing is that Nigeria is actively combating child labour. In 2003, Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Act to domesticate the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The country also launched the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour in 2021 and provided legal frameworks and roadmaps for its,’’ he said.

“Nigeria has ratified ILO Conventions 138 (Minimum Age) and 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour), demonstrating its commitment to international standards in protecting children’s rights.

“Additionally, Nigeria collaborates internationally with organisations like the ILO and the US Department of Labour through programmes like ACLAWA (Action against Child Labour in Agriculture in West Africa), ACCEL and GALAB, to tackle the root causes of child labour through education and social protection initiatives.”

However, she said that significant challenges remain at the global, national, state, local government areas and community level.

The 2021 Global child labour report released by ILO and UNICEF indicated a global increased of child labour prevalence by 8.4 million to reach a staggering 160 million. This marks the first slowdown in global efforts against child labor in two decades, with Sub-Saharan Africa facing particularly daunting challenges.

“Of particular concern is the significant increase in child labour among children aged five to 11 years, now comprising over half of the global total. Additionally, the number of children aged five to 17 years engaged in hazardous work has risen. Globally, the agriculture sector accounts for 70 per cent of child labourers, shockingly, nearly 28 percent of children aged five to 11 years and 35 percent aged 12 to 14 years in child labour are out of school,” she said.

July 5, 2024
NUPENG charges govt on Port Harcort Refinery rehabilitation
- Elects new PTD-NUPENG chairman
Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called on the Federal Government to fast-track the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, saying that it is improper that the Federal Government kept postponing the opening.

Speaking at the special delegates conference of the Petroleum Tanker Driver (PTD) of NUPENG in Lagos during the week, the National President, NUPENG, Comrade William Akporeha, said the union was awaiting the inauguration, saying that the government has assured them that it would commence operation by the end of the month.

Akporeha also called on the government to ensure that bad roads were fixed across the nation. According to him, this would ensure the smooth distribution of the petroleum products.

“We are eagerly awaiting the Port Harcourt Refinery to come on stream.We wish to call on the government to ensure that the old Port Harcourt Refinery starts production by the end of July as promised.

Akporeha also said the union was happy with the outcome of its election, adding that this is what NUPENG is known for.

He urged the new officers to be dedicated to the union.

“There is no faction in PTD, all of us are one. We are one with NUPENG. NUPENG has shown to the world that NUPENG and PTD are one. There is no division,” he said.

At the end of the election, Comrade Augustine Egbon emerged as national chairman of the junior workers’ union in the downstream oil sector.

His opponent Lucky Osesua did not take part in the election.

Egbon thanked stakeholders for ensuring a smooth election. He restated his stance that the PTD would not sever its relationship with its umbrella body, while also offering an olive branch to its aggrieved members.

He said: “I give thanks to God Almighty for making this election possible for us again. I thank the security personnel for ensuring adequate security. I thank our leaders in NUPENG, who did all that was necessary to guarantee a smooth election.

Chairman, Electoral Committee, Comrade Solomon Kilanko declared that the process was in line with the judgment of the National Industrial Court(NIC), Abuja.

He said: “The judgment also demands that the election should be all inclusive and non-discriminatory.

“To this end, the electoral Committee notified members that no one is barred from participating and, in addition, the list of delegates that are eligible is still the same list that was used for the October 31, 2023 election in Ibadan to ensure that those suspended after the election are allowed to participate.”

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Comrade Oluchi Chinagorom from the Port Harcourt zone will serve as National Secretary while comrades Lawan Garba, Mathias Ote, Dauda Olabisi and Olaolu Akinmuyise, are National Vice Chairman, Kaduna, Warri, Lagos and Port Harcourt zones of the PTD-NUPENG.

The duo of comrades Malut Abubakar and Odinakachi Nwafor emerged as First Deputy National Chairman and Second Deputy National Chairman.

Justice O. Y. Anuwe of the NIC in Abuja, had on May 29, this year, annulled the previous election held in Ibadan, last October.

Justice Anuwe had ordered that NUPENG should set up an Electoral Committee to organise a new national delegates’ conference within four months.

The judge also instructed that the NUPENG Constitution and the PTD by-laws be followed in conducting the new election.

The Registrar, Trade Union of Nigeria (TUN), Mr Amos Falonipe and Mr. Segun Arowolo from the Legal Department of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment monitored the election where 16 national officers emerged.
July 5, 2024
We expect new minimum wage implementation by July, says TUC

The organised labour movement is hopeful that the new minimum wage would be announced, passed into law, and its implementation begin before the end of next month.

President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, stated this when he received the Special Adviser on Labour Matter from the Kogi State Governor, Onuh Edoka, and his delegation in Abuja.

Osifo said there was a need for the National Tripartite Negotiation Committee, made up of government, labour, and organised labour, to find a common ground so that the bill would receive prompt attention from President Bola Tinubu as well as the National Assembly and be passed into law.

He said: “What we are working on from both labour centres is that before the end of July, we should have a new minimum wage that must have passed through the processes and that must have been assented to by the President so that the plight of the workers will improve much more.

“So that the economic challenges that we are facing as a country will be improved upon so that an average worker will be able to go to market and buy one or two things to take care of his or her family because of this skyrocketing inflation that we have in our country.

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“As you are aware, Labour has submitted N250,000, the government and organised private sector N62,000. Let both parties come together; let all parties come together.

“We will resolve and have a common front so that the President will be able to send the bill to the National Assembly, and at the end of the day, we will have a new national minimum wage. This is key; this is a topic that is germane for all labour unions today in Nigeria.”

Osifo, who commended the government of Kogi State for the clarification of payment of the N30,000 minimum wage to workers, however, noted that state governments should begin to put plans in place to begin the implementation of the new wage once it is signed into law.

“We are not at this moment even dwelling on the N30,000 again. I was listening to a state, I think Nasarawa State, that said they started setting aside some money to meet the new obligations when the new minimum wage is passed. So, I wish to also appeal that in Kogi, let that be the top priority amid this scarcity of income, amid this scarcity of revenue

“I wish to also use this opportunity to speak to all other states that they should be putting plans in place to implement the new minimum wage because, in Labour today, we are totally ready because when the new Minimum Wage Act is passed, we are going to follow it state by state to ensure that it is implemented.

“Let the workers heave a sigh of relief and we have the trust and the belief that, with the high Labour representation in the Kogi State government, we believe that the Kogi State government will do the needful.’’

Earlier, the Special Adviser on Labour Matter to the Kogi State Governor, Onuh Edoka, noted that the administration of Governor Ahmed Ododo has corrected the shortcomings of the immediate past administration, especially workers’ welfare.

June 28, 2024
NASU canvasses cost cutting by governors

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associates institutions (NASU) has said the flamboyant lifestyle of most of the governors and many political office holders will make it hard for them to comply with the new minimum wage.

The union said the staggering revelations of billions of naira stolen by some former governors and the vast properties they acquired underscored a troubling reality

Speaking with reporters, the General Secretary, NASU, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, said the lifestyle ,whether at the executive or legislative level, federal or state, portrays a country of affluence.

He said this disparity raises concerns among labour unions and the public, as the contrast between the opulent lifestyles of political leaders and the economic hardships faced by ordinary citizens become starkly evident.

According to him, this disconnect underscores the need for fair and equitable economic policies, including an appropriate review of the National Minimum Wage Act to address the realities faced by the broader population.

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He said: “For instance, hardly can governors be found inside a commercial plane in Nigeria as they move around in chartered jets. This practice further accentuates the stark contrast between the lifestyles of political office holders and the economic realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.

“Such disparities highlight the importance of ensuring that policies, including the review of the National Minimum Wage Act, are aligned with the needs of the common man, rather than being out of touch with the struggles of average workers.

“The staggering revelations of billions of naira stolen by some former state governors and the vast properties they acquired underscore a troubling reality: state governments are indeed capable of paying the national minimum wage. Instead, they opt to loot state resources for personal gain. This corruption highlights a gross misallocation of public funds that could otherwise improve the welfare of workers and contribute to the state’s development.”

Adeyemi said for captains of industries, who are the employers in the organised private sector, their lifestyle is not different from those of their colleagues holding political offices.

“Their primary interest lies in maximising profit to maintain their imperial lifestyle, often at the expense of workers’ welfare.This prioritisation of profit over fair compensation for employees further complicates the negotiations for a new national minimum wage as labour unions strive to secure a wage that reflects the true cost of living and ensures a decent standard of living for all workers.

“The negotiations have, therefore, become an issue of “they and us,” focusing on how much can be released to the workers without depleting the resources required to maintain the majestic lifestyle of those in power and industry leadership. These adversarial dynamics underscore the broader struggle for economic justice, as workers seek a fair share of the nation’s wealth while political and business elites prioritise preserving their own affluent standards of living,” he said.

In the light of these dynamics, he said a deadlock in the negotiations for the review of the national minimum wage is, therefore, inevitable.

His words: “The stark contrast between the affluent lifestyles of political and industry leaders and the economic hardships faced by ordinary workers creates a contentious environment. As workers push for fair compensation that reflects the cost of living, and the elite aim to protect their resources and maintain their majestic lifestyles, reaching a consensus becomes exceedingly difficult.

“During previous negotiations to review the national minimum wage, principal officials of the National Assembly often stepped in to mediate when talks reached a stalemate. Unfortunately, this vital mediation role is noticeably absent in the current negotiations. This situation is understandable, given that the National Assembly is burdened with its issues, including mind-blowing salaries and allowances, constituency allowances and allegations of budget padding.”

June 28, 2024
ASCSN canvasses review of retirement age

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has again demanded the review of the retirement age in the civil service from 60 or 35 years in service to 65 or 40 years, whichever comes first.

Its Secretary-General, Comrade Joshua Apebo, said this was necessary as a result of improvement in quality health care delivery of civil servants.

He said: “Our association has been canvassing an upward review of the retirement age for employees in the core civil service since 2015.

“We have presented a memorandum to the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), the organ responsible for negotiation of conditions of service of workers in the Public Service.

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“Our argument then which is still valid today is that due to improvement in health care delivery, people are stronger, healthier, and more articulate between 40 and 70 years.

“We also emphasised then that most of the organisations attached to the United Nations and a good number of countries have increased the retirement age to 65.

“We also pointed out that International Organisations such as the International Labour Organisation, ILO, the World Health Organisation, WHO, the European Patent Office, EPO, the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Bank for International Settlements, have also increased retirement age to 65 while retirement age in NATO is 67.

Apebo said the retirement age in many countries is 65 while over 95 per cent of of them have a retirement age of above 60.

He said when the Federal Government approved 65 or 40 years of service for teachers, the association intensified its campaign that Education Officers in the Federal Ministry of Education, including those in Federal Government Colleges, should be integrated into the new retirement age and the government approved the demand.

“We made it clear that since Judicial officers, university lecturers, and teachers, are enjoying the new retirement age regime, it is only fair that the new retirement age of 65 or 40 years of service should also apply to core civil servants,” he said.

On the labour migration, Apebo said the recognition and compliance of migrants’ rights without distinction are the key issue at this year’s International Labour Organisation Conventions.

He said the employers and some governments launched an attack on ILO Conventions 97 and 143 on migration, saying that they were outdated but this was not the view of the majority.

“We should focus on guidelines for fair recruitment because of the bad practice of some employment agencies.’’

June 28, 2024
The crisis in food sector

The National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE)has blamed multiple taxation and high electricity tariff, saying they are killing the food sector.

The union called on the Federal Government to save the sector from extinction as thousands of workers have been thrown out of employment while many companies are either closed or relocated to neighbouring countries.

Speaking with The Nation, the President of the union, Comrade Garba Ibrahim, argued that multiple taxation is an obstacle to manufacturing, noting that it has adversely affected production.

Lamenting the trauma being experienced by their management through various taxes, levies and tariffs, Garba said the unbearable situation is forcing the investors out of the country, thereby exacerbating unemployment and the attendant insecurity.

He said: “We had challenges in the food sector on multiple taxation, excise duty and epileptic power supply.This is affecting us because it increased production costs which also affected prices.

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“We expect them to provide a conducive atmosphere for our industries to operate. For example in the food sector, we have cried out about the over taxation of our companies, excessive custom and excise duties and tariffs on our products.

“Most companies are leaving the country to neighbouring countries because of all these unnecessary charges. This may cause a lot of our workers to lose their jobs which may, in turn, aggravate the insecurity situation in the country. We want the government to address our plight.

“Due to the price increase, there was a demand reduction.We knew that with the way events were unfolding, it would affect our members.

“We are appealing to the Federal Government for urgent action for the sake of youths and Nigeria.”

On casualisation, Garba said: “With the vision and encouragement of our immediate past president, we have been able to initiate guidelines on casualisation and outsourcing workers.The guidelines are being looked into for implementation.

“If that is done, there would be no difference between a permanent worker and a casual person because whatever guides the permanent workers also guides the casuals. In our sector also, we negotiate a review of our salary every two years with our employer’s body. Soon we would start a new review of the salaries and other benefits. But on the casualisation guideline, immediately it is signed, it would become effective for both casual and outsourced workers.”

Garba said the welfare of the union’s members would be one of the paramount discussions the union would table with the employers at the earliest opportunity.

“Our members have been at the forefront of oiling the progress of this country through their hard work, hence we are also expected to live well and the present situation in the country has impacted negatively on our members.

“So, going forward, the issue of our members’ better welfare packages will be paramount at any of the meetings with employers in the sector. Also, we want to engage them through training,” he said.

June 28, 2024
NECA urges organised labour to prioritise job security

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has urged the Organised Labour to prioritise job security in the ongoing negotiation for a new national minimum wage.

NECA advised Organised Labour to agree with a figure that is realistic and sustainable, adding that in the last three years, hundreds of companies have exited the country, shut down or changed business models.

Addressing reporters during the NECA Forum with Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN), the Director-General of NECA, Mr Adewale Smart Oyerinde, said Organised Labour should refocus its effort on protecting jobs, boosting the capacity of the private sector to create more jobs and ensure sustainability and ability to pay.

He also urged labour to consider the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which, according to him, is the highest job provider.

Organised labour represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) insisted on the payment of a national minimum wage of N250,000, while the Federal Government offered N62,000.

Oyerinde explained that if the employers must pay the proposed N62,000 minimum wage, then workers must be willing to discuss productivity.

“Everything basically rests on the economy. Can the economy carry it? Can organised businesses as it constitutes, carry it? Those are parameters that we can’t run away from.

“Now, the reality for us is this, as an organised private sector. I would not want to delve into the realities of government. I would not want to delve into the N250, 000 realities of organised labour.

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“Ability to pay is a fundamental part of that issue that we have to take into consideration. Enterprise sustainability is also a fundamental part of those parameters that we have to take into consideration. The state of the economy is also a fundamental part of that parameter. And then the needs of workers is also a fundamental part of that conversation,” he explained.

He stressed on the need to allow the rule of law to prevail on the issue of National Minimum wage as stipulated in the ILO Convention 131.

He said what was submitted by the tripartite committee was an alignment of interest and not an agreement.

Oyerinde stated that the matter has now left the hands of the tripartite committee, explaining that everyone is awaiting the decision of President Bola Tinubu.

He mentioned that the demand by organised labour at this period has the potential to cripple small and medium enterprises and push many other businesses into comatose.

The NECA DG stated: “It is important to strike a balance between workers’ needs, the economic situation, ability to pay and productivity. ‘‘

The NECA boss stated that It was no secret that organised businesses were faced with multidimensional challenges ranging from multiple taxes, levies and fees, recent astronomical power costs, rising interest rates and exchange rates, among many others.

“We urge the government to fast-track the implementation of its interventions to make life more bearable for workers, businesses, and Nigerians.

“Any disruption of organised businesses’ activities could have serious consequences on job security and the sustainability of businesses.

“Businesses need to be alive and stay sustainable for jobs to be created and for the government to generate taxes, he added.

June 21, 2024
Nigeria seeks global cooperation to address tech challenges

Nigeria has tasked global leaders to team up to address the technological challenges and build a more resilient and inclusive society for future generations.

Speaking at the 112th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha said: “We must continue to work together to mitigate the challenges of technology and its related threats to the world of work, while charting a more productive, resilient, equitable and more inclusive society for future generations.”

The minister’s address at the ILC was in response to the director-general’s report on the renewed social contract, outlining Nigeria’s position on the global agenda for decent work and social justice, and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to fostering a culture of constructive social dialogue and promoting decent working conditions in Nigeria.

According to her, these are in a bid to ensure a fair and equitable work environment for workers. This is even as she highlighted the Federal Government’s policies targeting food security, job creation, poverty alleviation and social cohesion, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She applauded the DG’s office for selecting a timely and relevant theme, which highlights the mutual interdependence between individuals and societies in promoting social unity, economic robustness and political stability.

The minister noted that this theme aligns with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Tinubu’s administration, a visionary policy framework designed to transform Nigeria into a premier investment hub on the global stage.

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She said: “The agenda is hinged on the core pillars ‘4-D Diplomacy Strategy’ centred on promoting democracy, driving economic development, harnessing Nigeria’s demographic potential, and engaging with the diaspora community. The eight priority areas of the agenda, she explained, aim to pursue economic prosperity for the country through food security, poverty eradication, economic growth, job creation, access to capital, inclusiveness, improving the security of life and property, rule of law and fight against corruption.

“This will help build a more just and equitable society, reminding both Nigerians and the global community that Nigeria stands ready to embrace the future and conduct business in line with international best practice.’’.

She added that the government has provided an enabling environment for social dialogue with the tripartite constituents to advance social justice and has solicited tripartite plus cooperation to align with the government’s agenda in the labour sector to promote workers welfare and boost national productivity.

On the new national minimum wage, she said: “the Federal Government is negotiating through its tripartite committee to review the national minimum wage as part of its efforts to promote decent work for workers in both the public and private sectors.

The minister further showcased Nigeria’s progress in implementing international labour standards, promoting social justice and boosting national productivity through the recent launch of the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), aimed at creating jobs and equipping youths with entrepreneurship skills.

“The government also recognises skill acquisition as a viable strategy for youth empowerment and job creation, and has identified the informal sector as the driving force of economic growth in most developing countries of the world. As an intentional strategy towards achieving the goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government launched the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) on Thursday 25th April, 2024, with the fundamental vision to create jobs by training and equipping 2.5 million persons every year within the next 4 years with requisite entrepreneurship skills,” she said.

The Minister expressed that the efforts of the government towards promoting entrepreneurship will revamp Nigeria’s economy and reposition it on the path of steady growth, enhance job creation and reduce unemployment and insecurity.

June 21, 2024