By Peter Adelowo
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s dedication to the welfare of members of the organised labour, inclusive economic policies, and wage reforms.
Speaking 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, Vice President Shettima lauded what he described as Nigeria’s vibrant labour movement and its role in national development.
In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President notes the global workforce transformation 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,” VP Shettima adds.
According to the statement the Vice President informs the ILO chief that the Nigerian government remains committed to inclusive labour policies, fair wages, and economic growth.
The statement says earlier the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation, ILO, Mr Gilbert Houngbo notes that his visit to the country as DG was long overdue, particularly given the strategic importance of Nigeria in the ILO, including the period between June 2023 and June 2024 when it presided over the affairs of the ILO Board of Directors.
According to Mr Houngbo his visit had afforded him the opportunity to interact with ILO’s social partners in Nigeria, including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and others, noting that their discussions were fruitful.
The statement says he appeals to the Federal Government to speed up the finalisation of the reform of the labour code, even as he sought the support of the Vice President for the revival of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC), a forum for social dialogue amongst the tripartite constituents.
