By Bimbola Oyesola
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammed Dingyadi has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a prime global investment destination, charging participants at the ongoing International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland to look towards the country for global integration.
Dingyadi made the commitment yesterday while addressing the 113rd session of the ILC. Responding to the report of the Director-General, he noted that the theme of the DG’s report aligns with the mandates and aspirations of the priority areas of the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
He noted that the renewed hope agenda was “designed to reposition Nigeria as a prime global investment destination.
“The Agenda is hinged on the vision of pursuing and instituting sustained socio-economic prosperity for our country through attaining job creation, inclusiveness, food security, poverty eradication, economic growth, access to capital, improving the security of life and property, rule of law and fight against corruption.”
Speaking further on how it aligns with the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) ideals, the Minister said the priorities of the agenda were aimed at building a more just and equitable society, which is an essential and critical component for national growth and development, as well as laying a springboard for international integration.
“Distinguished delegates, I am happy to inform you that the Federal Government of Nigeria, with its tripartite constituents, is committed to advancing social justice,” he said The Minister explained that in furtherance of this, Nigeria signed on to the ILO’s Global Coalition for Social Justice as part of her continued commitment towards building an equitable society for all Nigerians and partnering with the ILO to achieve its goals and global aspirations for the common good.
He maintained that Nigeria shares the ILO’s vision of a just transition and acknowledges that sustainable development hinges on inclusive economic growth, fair labour practices and robust democratic institutions.
“The DG’s report this year, draws attention to current realities in the world of work underpinned by global socio-economic, cultural and technological transformations that threaten the once secured traditional jobs and livelihood of workers,” he said, adding that these realities have blurred the lines that clearly demarcate the dynamics of work as previously known.
The minister said as part of the government’s responsiveness, the Nigeria government approved a new national minimum wage in July 2024 “aimed at ensuring improved living conditions for workers, which is part of our broader strategy for economic fairness, fair distribution of economic gains and decent work.”
Also on the eradication of child labour, he said Nigeria, as a pathfinder country under alliance 8.7, was intensifying efforts to eliminate child labour and forced labour.
“We are reviewing national legislation, building capacities of partners, strengthening institutions and implementing community-based programmes to rescue and rehabilitate vulnerable children,” he said.
Nigeria, however, enjoined the delegates to continue to work together to mitigate the centripetal and centrifugal factors that threaten “our shared prosperity which go beyond personal national goals.
“We must collectively resolve to chart a pathway towards an inclusive, equitable, resilient, productive and sustainable world for generations to come,” he stressed.