Nigeria reaffirms commitment to ILO partnership for decent work

• ILO DG visits Nigeria

From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to promote decent work, social justice, and economic growth.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, stated this during a courtesy visit by the ILO Director-General, Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Dingyadi said Nigeria, since it became a member of the ILO in 1960, has ratified 44 ILO conventions, including nine out of ten fundamental conventions that address critical labour issues such as the elimination of forced labour, abolition of child labour, and eradication of workplace discrimination.

He also stressed Nigeria’s eagerness to strengthen its partnership with the ILO in areas such as social protection, occupational safety and health standards, gender equality in the workplace, and the implementation of ratified conventions.

The minister lauded the historic significance of Houngbo’s leadership as the first African Director-General of the ILO, describing it as a testament to Africa’s growing influence in the global labour landscape.

“Mr. Director-General, as you interact with key stakeholders in the Nigerian labour landscape, we trust that your visit will further cement the cooperation between the ILO and Nigeria, leading to impactful outcomes for our workforce and economy. We are honoured to host you, and we look forward to continued partnership in building a just and equitable world of work.

“As we look to the future, we are reminded of the aspirations articulated in the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work. The Declaration emphasises the need for the democratisation of the ILO’s governance structures, ensuring full, equal, and democratic participation of all member states,” he said.

In his remarks, Houngbo acknowledged Nigeria’s strategic role in ILO governance and its dynamic labour market.

He expressed interest in understanding how Nigeria’s recent economic reforms have impacted the labour market, particularly concerning the rising cost of living and inflationary pressures that many countries face globally.

Houngbo also reiterated the ILO’s commitment to combating child labour, forced labour, modern slavery, and workplace discrimination.

The Director-General acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role within the ILO Governing Body from June 2023 to June 2024 and thanked the government for its flexibility in supporting the organisation’s strategic initiatives in Geneva.