Shettima restates FG’s dedication to workers’ welfare, wage reforms

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s dedication to the welfare of organized labor members, inclusive economic policies, and wage reforms.

He gave this reassurance on Thursday during a meeting with a delegation led by the visiting Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammad Dingyadi.

According to the Vice President, President Bola Tinubu is committed to fostering a thriving workforce and an efficient labor ecosystem.

Shettima praised Nigeria’s vibrant labor movement and its role in national development.

He said: “We have a very vibrant labor 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.

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“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.”

The Vice President acknowledged the global transformation of the workforce and Nigeria’s potential to bridge talent gaps, citing the country’s youthful population as a major 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,” Shettima said.

He expressed confidence in the country’s future workforce, stating, “Our young people are digitally more literate than we are. 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.”

He assured the ILO chief that the Nigerian government remains committed to inclusive labor policies, fair wages, and economic growth.

“We will continue to engage with our friends in the labor movement to ensure progress. We are all patriots and partners in building a stronger Nigeria,” he stated.

Shettima also assured the ILO delegation that President Tinubu, whom he described as an activist himself, would be briefed on their requests upon his return to the country.

“We are all patriots and partners in progress. The President is very much at home with the labor ecosystem,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, ILO DG Mr. Houngbo thanked the Vice President for receiving him and the delegation, noting that his visit to Nigeria as DG was long overdue, given the country’s strategic importance in the ILO. He highlighted Nigeria’s leadership between June 2023 and June 2024 when it presided over the ILO Board of Directors.

Recalling and appreciating Nigeria’s support for his election, Mr. Houngbo said, “Without the mobilisation of the Nigerian government and social partners in the country, my election would have been very difficult. Nigeria mobilised a lot of African constituents to ensure my election as DG.”

He further stated that his visit allowed him to interact with ILO’s social partners in Nigeria, including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), describing their discussions as fruitful.

He urged the Federal Government to expedite the finalization of labor code reforms and sought the Vice President’s support for reviving the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC), a forum for social dialogue among tripartite constituents.

“We believe that, given the dynamism of the labor market in Nigeria, its population, ambition, and role in Africa, reviving the NLAC will be highly beneficial to all,” he added.