The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerian workers and promoting fair labour practices across all sectors of the economy.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Dingyadi, gave the assurance at the 2nd Annual Labour Conference of the Labour Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (LACAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
The conference, with the theme “Local Content, Casualisation and Fair Labour Migration,” brought together policymakers, labour leaders and journalists to deliberate on fair and decent work practices.
Dingyadi said the government would continue to deepen local content implementation, tackle casualisation, and promote fair labour migration to ensure decent work for all Nigerian workers.
“The Federal Government will continue to strengthen policies that protect workers and create jobs that guarantee dignity, fairness and productivity,” he said.
He described the conference theme as timely and strategic, adding that it aligned with the national development agenda of the Tinubu-led administration.
The minister explained that local content was not merely an economic policy but a statement of national self-determination for inclusive growth and industrial participation.
“Nigerians must be active participants and beneficiaries of industries within our borders,” Dingyadi said.
He noted that the growing casualisation of labour undermines productivity and national stability, describing it as one of the most pressing challenges facing the labour sector.
“A workforce that lacks job security cannot plan for the future or contribute meaningfully to the economy. Addressing casualisation is central to social justice,” he said.
Dingyadi said the ongoing review of Nigeria’s labour laws would introduce clearer provisions to regulate new forms of work, including contract and platform-based employment.
“We are determined to modernise our legal framework in line with International Labour Organisation conventions and global best practices,” he said.
He commended LACAN for its role in shaping public understanding of labour issues and assured that the ministry would continue to partner with journalists to promote decent work.
The Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr Silas Agara, commended LACAN for providing a platform to discuss sustainable employment generation and decent work.
Agara, represented by Mrs Amezhi Apia, Director, Special Duties, said NDE had trained more than 33,800 youths and resettled 4,683 beneficiaries with start-up kits and soft loans.
“The Directorate remains committed to reducing unemployment and poverty to the barest minimum as there is no alternative to doing so,” he said.
Earlier, the Acting National Chairman of LACAN, Mr Patrick Abulu, described the conference as a call to action for a fairer and more inclusive labour environment.
“We are gathered not merely as attendees, but as architects of a fairer future and voices for the voiceless in the struggle against poverty and inequality,” he said.
Abulu added that the theme underscored the need for homegrown solutions to poverty and inequality through fair labour recruitment and decent work practices.
“The fight for fair labour recruitment is inseparable from the fight for a prosperous Nigeria.
“We must dismantle structures of casualisation and guarantee decent work for all,” he said.
