Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains open to ongoing engagement with organised labour.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of workers, stressing that Tinubu is dedicated to fostering a thriving workforce and an efficient labour ecosystem.
“We will continue to engage with our friends in the labour movement to ensure progress,” Shettima said during a meeting with a delegation led by the visiting Director-General of the International Labour Organisation, Mr Gilbert Houngbo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Houngbo was accompanied by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, and the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Joe Ajaero.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed this development in a statement titled ‘VP Shettima Restates FG’s Dedication to Workers’ Welfare, Wage Reforms.’
Shettima assured the ILO chief that the Nigerian government remains committed to inclusive labour policies, fair wages, and economic growth.
“We are all patriots and partners in building a stronger Nigeria,” he said, adding that President Tinubu, whom he described as an activist himself, would be briefed on the delegation’s requests upon his return to the country.
The Vice President praised the Nigerian labour movement, describing it as vibrant and well-led. He also reiterated Tinubu’s passion for workers’ welfare, noting that the government had raised the minimum wage, with most states already implementing it—some even exceeding the N70,000 benchmark set at the national level.
“I commend the Nigeria Labour Congress for their statesmanship and commitment to workers’ rights,” Shettima said.
He highlighted Nigeria’s demographic advantage, stating that with the right policies, the country’s youthful population could be transformed into an economic asset.
“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 turn it into a demographic dividend rather than a demographic disaster,” he said.
He also expressed confidence in Nigeria’s future workforce, stating, “Our young people are more digitally literate than us. While some traditional jobs may disappear, new opportunities will emerge, and we will equip our youth with the skills to thrive in the evolving global economy.”
In his remarks, ILO DG Mr Houngbo thanked the Vice President for receiving his delegation, acknowledging that his visit to Nigeria was long overdue, given the country’s strategic role in the ILO.
Recalling Nigeria’s support for his election, Houngbo said, “Without the mobilisation of the Nigerian government and its social partners, my election would have been very difficult. Nigeria played a key role in rallying African constituents in my favour.”
He noted that his visit provided an opportunity to engage with ILO’s social partners in Nigeria, including the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, and that their discussions were productive.
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 forum for social dialogue among tripartite stakeholders.
“We believe that given the dynamism of Nigeria’s labour market, its population, ambition, and role in Africa, reviving the NLAC will be highly beneficial,” he added.
Dignitaries present at the meeting included 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, National Directorate of Employment, Mr Silas Agara; Director-General, National Productivity Centre, Baffa Agundi; Director-General, Michael Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies, Isa Aremu; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; and the First National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress, Dr Tommy Etim-Okon, among others.
