The Federal Government of Nigeria and the International Labour Organization have reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation aimed at promoting decent work, social justice, and improved labour governance in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Salihu Usman, disclosed this during a coordination meeting between the ministry and the ILO held in Abuja.
The development was contained in a statement released on Sunday by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Annah Daniel.
The ILO, a specialised agency of the United Nations established in 1919, focuses on advancing social justice and internationally recognised labour and human rights.
Usman noted that Nigeria’s long-standing collaboration with the ILO has helped the country promote decent work, strengthen occupational safety and health, encourage social dialogue, improve labour administration, and enhance the implementation of international labour standards.
“Joint initiatives between the ministry and the ILO have consistently produced positive outcomes in addressing labour-related issues in the country,” Usman said.
He also explained that the coordination meetings had not been held for some time due to administrative challenges, but the ministry decided to resume them because of their strategic importance.
Usman identified several key challenges affecting Nigeria’s labour sector, including rising youth unemployment, skills shortages, the expansion of the informal economy, labour migration management, workplace safety concerns, the need to strengthen social protection systems, and the persistence of child labour.
“Addressing these challenges requires strong institutions, coherent policies, and effective technical collaboration with development partners such as the ILO,” he said.
The permanent secretary added that the meetings would enable departments within the ministry to align their activities with the ILO’s country programme priorities, reduce duplication of efforts, enhance information sharing, and develop clear action plans with defined roles and timelines.
In her remarks, the ILO Country Director, Vanessa Phala, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the ministry through policy alignment that promotes decent work, upholds labour standards, and supports sustainable employment initiatives.
“We have to make sure that what we are doing continues to be aligned with the ministry’s priority as well as the government’s priority under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, especially as it relates to the renewed hope agenda.
“This forum serves to check with one another that we are still on the right track. Implementation will be seamless because what we are supporting you with is already reflected in your departmental priorities or work plan,” Phala said.
She further stated that the ILO would continue to offer technical support and capacity-building programmes to assist the ministry in addressing emerging labour issues and safeguarding vulnerable workers across the country.
The meeting also served as a platform for strategic collaboration among key stakeholders, including government agencies, workers’ organisations, employers, and other partners involved in labour sector reforms.