There’s no plan to criminalise strike action in Nigeria — Labour Minister, Dingyadi

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, had a brief interaction with journalists on some burning issues in the country’s labour sector. CHRISTIAN APPOLOS brings the excerpts:

N IGERIA fully participated at the just concluded International Labour Conference (ILC). Are there plans to put into effect the recommendations made at the ILC for the betterment of the world of work in the country?

Minister: Yes, we were at the International Labour Conference, and we took part in so many committee meetings where important decisions were reached. Those decisions were in the best interest of the Nigerian workforce. Our duty, as representatives of the country, is to come back home and make sure those decisions are implemented for the benefit of our workers.

When we returned, we did what was required of us. We prepared a report on the conference, which I am expected to submit to the Federal Executive Council, and here in the Ministry, we immediately began looking into the major recommendations. The number one decision that stood out is about creating a safe and secure environment for our workers. Because if workers are not safe and their environment is not conducive, they cannot be motivated to give their best, and productivity will suffer. But if they are secure, motivated, and comfortable, then productivity will increase, and that naturally contributes to the growth and development of our country.

So in summary, we are making efforts to implement the ILC decisions in a tripartite manner. Workers were with us in Geneva, so they know what was discussed and agreed. On our part as government, we are working to ensure that together with workers and employers, we translate those international decisions into reality here in Nigeria.

What would you highlight as the ministry’s most significant achievements under you, and in which specific areas should Nigerians expect landmark improvements?

Minister: Well, I would say it is still a bit early to start assessing myself, because I have only been here for about eight or nine months. But by and large, with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the cooperation of my staff, we have been able to record some achievements.

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First of all, we have been able to maintain industrial peace. Since I came into office, there has not been any major strike. The only one we had was a short warning strike by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, and that lasted just three days before it was resolved. That stability is a major achievement because it shows that dialogue is working. We listen to the unions, we engage them with understanding, and we resolve issues amicably.

Secondly, we have made progress in skills development. Through the relevant departments, we have trained thousands of young Nigerians in different trades and skills that can sustain them and their families. The focus is on giving them the kind of skills that can provide lasting jobs, not just temporary measures.

Thirdly, we have improved our partnership with social partners. We are working closely with employers, unions, and development partners to create more opportunities in training and job creation. Without them, the government alone cannot do much, but by working together, we are making headway.

So these are areas Nigerians should expect more improvements; industrial peace, skills development, and stronger partnerships that lead to job creation.

Job creation is a major challenge in Nigeria. What plans does your ministry have to lead young people out of poverty?

We are moving away from the old ways of training people with outdated tools and giving them small starter packs that many times do not last. Most times, after receiving such packs, people end up selling them and going back to square one.

We are shifting to modern training that is technology-driven; ICT, Artificial Intelligence, and other new areas that can give people permanent, sustainable, and better-paying jobs. With this kind of training, even with just a phone, someone can earn money, provide services, and even employ others. That is the new direction we are taking, and we believe it will create lasting jobs and reduce poverty.

So in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has executed a series of skill acquisition and employment promotion interventions.

Over 1,800 Nigerians have been trained in a wide range of vocational and technical skills, These include: Digital Fashion Illustration, Wig Making, Hospitality Management, Elevator Maintenance, Solar Panel Installation, Heating, Ventilation and AC Repair, Baking and Bread Making, Catering, Motion Graphics, and Content Creation. In addition, Basic and Advanced ICT training has been delivered in priority areas such as Data Science, Python Programming, Software and App Development, Cybersecurity, and other digital competencies.

Complementing these initiatives, over 2,350 individuals have undergone training in Entrepreneurship Development, Digital Marketing, and Employability Skills. Importantly, these programmes are designed to empower participants with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully launch small businesses or transition into formal employment with enhanced confidence and job readiness.

Furthermore, leveraging platforms such as the National Electronic Labour Exchange (NELEX), a network of Job Centres in 22 states, and employment promotion activities including job fairs, the Ministry has successfully matched over 220 job seekers with appropriate job opportunities.

These achievements demonstrate the Ministry’s active role in delivering practical outcomes in job creation, workforce development, and poverty reduction as envisioned under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

How is the ministry strengthening bilateral labour relations with other countries to provide more job opportunities for Nigerian youth?

Yes, there are plans by the Ministry to enter into Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAS) with labour sending and receiving countries.

The Ministry already signed a BLA with Qatar and we are discussing and negotiating with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States of America, South Korea, The Philippines, and Canada. Recently I had a virtual meeting with officials from Australia.

The idea is to train Nigerians with the right skills, and then place them in decent jobs abroad where they will not only represent the country well but also bring benefits back home in terms of income, remittances, and experience. It is not just about exporting labour, but about ensuring Nigeria gains from the arrangement too. So we are pushing these agreements forward, and very soon some of them will be signed.

Monitoring and regulating the activities of recruitment agencies in the country to protect Nigerians who want to migrate for work, what is the Ministry doing?

The FMLE remains fully committed to ensuring that the operations of *PEAs* are in strict compliance with national labour laws and international labour standards. To this end, the Ministry has taken a number of concrete steps to regulate and monitor the sector:

First, all private employment agencies operating in Nigeria are required to be duly licensed by the FMLE. The licensing process includes rigorous background checks and assessment of the agency’s capacity to operate ethically and transparently in the recruitment and placement of workers, both domestically and abroad.

Also, the Ministry conducts periodic monitoring and compliance inspections of licensed PEAs to ensure adherence to established guidelines, including fair recruitment practices, proper documentation, and the protection of workers? rights. Agencies found in violation of regulations face sanctions, including suspension or revocation of their licenses. And in line with the ILO General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment, the Ministry has adopted and is actively promoting a rights-based approach to labour migration. This includes ensuring that no worker should be charged recruitment fees, and that contracts are transparent and enforceable.

In addition to that, the Ministry works closely with relevant government agencies, international organizations (including the ILO and IOM), and civil society groups to strengthen regulatory frameworks and address challenges related to unethical recruitment and trafficking in persons. Meanwhile, through the Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) and other outreach channels, the Ministry provides pre-departure orientation and counselling services to prospective labour migrants. These services help educate and empower migrants to make informed decisions, while also providing mechanisms for reporting abuses or suspicious recruitment practices.

Currently, we are reviewing the regulatory framework guiding the operation of PEAs, with a view to strengthening institutional oversight and aligning national practices with evolving global standards on labour migration governance. So, i can tell you that the Ministry of Labour remains steadfast in its mandate to protect Nigerian workers at all stages of the labour migration process, and will continue to hold Private Employment Agencies accountable for ethical, lawful, and migrant-centred recruitment practices.

The global shift towards remote work, digital economy, and green energy, how is the Ministry collaborating with stakeholders to prepare Nigerian workers for the future?

In response to the global shift toward remote work and digital economies, the Ministry is taking strategic action to ensure Nigerian workers, particularly the youths, are equipped with relevant, future-ready skills to compete globally. We are shifting, introducing tech-driven skills. As earlier highlighted, the Ministry has implemented targeted training programmes in high-demand fields such as Data Science, Python Programming, Software and App Development, and Cybersecurity.

These training courses were delivered at both basic and advanced levels to accommodate varying levels of proficiency. Following the technical sessions, participants also have the opportunity to acquire additional phases of training on remote work skills. And all these trainings are aimed at enhancing their preparedness for virtual employment and active participation in the global gig economy.

In addition to digital and ICT-based training, the Ministry has also prioritized skills development in the green energy sector. This is made possible through strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders, which include development partners. Participants have received hands-on training in solar panel installation, maintenance, and system integration, as well as broader exposure to renewable energy technologies. This intervention is designed not only to support Nigeria’s transition to a more sustainable energy future but also to create new employment pathways for Nigerian youth, especially in underserved communities where off-grid energy solutions are in demand.

To ensure scalability and relevance, the Ministry is working in partnership with international organisations such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO), German Development Agency (GIZ), and the International Organisation for Migration (1OM), as well as local tech hubs and digital training providers, to ensure that skill development programmes align with evolving global labour market demands. Furthermore, the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) and the NELEX portal have been upgraded to provide real-time labour data, facilitate job matching, and improve access to both local and international work opportunities, particularly within the expanding digital and green economies.

At this point, let me reiterate that the Ministry is taking deliberate and strategic steps to equip Nigerian youth with future-ready skills through comprehensive interventions that go beyond training to include job placement, entrepreneurship development, and global competitiveness.

Trade unions recently raised alarm that the government is trying to criminalise strikes through the new National Industrial Relations Policy. What is the true story?

That is far from the truth. Nigeria is a democratic country, and strikes are part of democracy. The policy is not against strikes, and it can never stop workers from going on strike. What the policy emphasises is dialogue, orderliness, and peaceful settlement of disputes.

Unfortunately, there was some misunderstanding in the way the policy was presented to the public. But let me make it clear: the NLC, the TUC, and all our social partners were part of drafting that document. Nothing was hidden, nothing was tampered with. The policy is for the good of all; to promote peace, cooperation, and growth in industrial relations.

Even recently, some unions went on strike, and nobody stopped them. So there is no plan anywhere to criminalise strikes. What we are doing is to strengthen dialogue and build better understanding between government, employers, and workers.