The guy and the girl are working.The couple is sitting at the cafe.Documents on the table
The Federal Government on Tuesday signed a labour data partnership agreement aimed at strengthening employment governance, improving job planning, and promoting evidence-based policy decisions across Nigeria.
The agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among key institutions responsible for producing, managing, and utilising labour market information, was signed in Abuja during the 13th Meeting of the National Employment Council (NEC). Government officials said the initiative would enhance labour market intelligence, help identify employment trends, and support more effective workforce development policies nationwide.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Dyngyadi, said reliable labourmarket information remains indispensable for employment planning, productivity growth, and policy formulation in an increasingly dynamic global economy.
According to Dyngyadi, the strengthened partnership will support the National Labour Market Information System (NLMIS), which is expected to provide credible data for identifying labour market trends, forecasting skills requirements, and evaluating employment-related programmes across the country.
“The quality of employment outcomes is directly linked to the quality of labour market information available to decision-makers across government, industry, educational institutions, and the workforce,” Dyngyadi said.
He described the signing of the MoU as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s labour market reform efforts and evidence of the government’s commitment to deeper institutional collaboration.
“Today’s Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony represents a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s labour market reform journey and demonstrates our commitment to institutional collaboration,” he said.
The minister noted that job creation requires coordinated action across multiple sectors, including education, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, trade, enterprise development, and labour administration.
He urged all participating institutions to maintain regular data sharing, comply with agreed standards, and sustain collaboration to maximise the benefits of the National LabourMarket Information System.
Dyngyadi also commended the International LabourOrganisation (ILO), GIZ, and GFA Consulting Group for their continued technical support in strengthening employment governance and labour market reforms in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Kamil Shoretire, said the agreement reflected stakeholders’ commitment to transparency, harmonised data management, and evidence-based governance.
“This ceremony signifies our collective resolve to move beyond fragmented labour market information systems towards a coordinated national framework capable of generating reliable labour market intelligence,” Shoretire said.
Also speaking, the ILO Country Director, Vanessa Phala, commended the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for convening the council meeting and sustaining labourmarket reform initiatives.
Phala described the signing of the MoU as an important step towards improving labour market information sharing, noting that reliable data is essential for effective employment planning and policy implementation.
“Information is power. Through quality labour market information, decision-makers will be better positioned to design interventions that respond to realities within the labourmarket,” she said.
She added that labour inspection remains a critical component of effective employment governance because it enables authorities to monitor compliance with labour laws, workplace standards, and occupational safety and health requirements.
According to Phala, strengthening labour inspection capacity will enable government institutions to implement employment policies more effectively while identifying gaps requiring urgent intervention across workplaces and sectors of the economy.
She reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to supporting the implementation of Nigeria’s Revised National Employment Policy and the National Labour Market Information System through technical assistance and capacity development.
“The labour market information system will help identify where jobs exist, where skills are required, and where laboursupply is available, thereby supporting informed policy decisions,” she said.
Phala also commended members of the National Employment Council, social partners, and development partners, particularly GIZ, for supporting labour market reforms and employment initiatives across the country.
