The Federal Government has called for stronger links between skills development and employment opportunities, saying a structured skills-to-jobs ecosystem is essential for creating sustainable jobs and improving the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Dingyadi, made the call at the 13th Meeting of the National Employment Council (NEC) in Abuja, where government officials, labour leaders, employers, and development partners discussed strategies for improving employment outcomes and strengthening labour market governance.
Dr. Dingyadi said Nigeria’s rapidly growing population makes it imperative to equip workers and job seekers with skills that align with labour market demands.
According to the minister, sustainable employment cannot be achieved through isolated interventions but requires coordinated action among government institutions, employers, labour unions, and development partners to address skills gaps and workforce challenges.
He stressed the need to build a labour market capable of supporting economic growth, social inclusion, productivity, and national competitiveness.
Dingyadi noted that a well-functioning skills-to-jobs system would not only improve employability but would also enable businesses to access the skilled workforce required to drive growth and innovation.
The meeting, themed, “Strengthening Labour Inspection for Effective Employment Governance in Nigeria,” focused on improving labour administration, workforce development, productivity, and employment generation across the country.
Speaking at the event, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Country Director for Nigeria, Vanessa Phala, said stronger labour governance and collaboration among government, employers, and workers were essential to creating decent jobs and maintaining industrial harmony.
Phala said effective partnerships between the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, labour unions, and employer groups would help promote workers’ rights, strengthen social dialogue, and support job creation initiatives.
She emphasised the importance of compliance with labour laws and employment policies to ensure workers benefit from improved workplace protections and employment opportunities.
“As we know, we have reviewed the National Employment Policy, and it continues to drive the way we promote employment initiatives and coordinate our efforts around employment initiatives in Nigeria,” she said.
Phala reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at improving employment governance, promoting decent work, and strengthening industrial relations in the country.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also called for greater attention to employment creation and workforce development.
NLC President Joe Ajaero, who was represented at the meeting, urged policymakers and stakeholders to treat employment generation as a deliberate policy objective rather than a by-product of economic development.
He called on governments at all levels to prioritise job creation, skills development, and decent work opportunities for Nigerians.
As part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment, the NLC and the ILO, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, launched a policy document designed to serve as a framework for youth empowerment and job creation.
Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that improving workers’ employability, strengthening labour inspection systems, and ensuring compliance with labour standards are crucial to achieving better employment outcomes and protecting workers’ rights.
The National Employment Council serves as a platform for policy dialogue and coordination on employment issues, bringing together key institutions responsible for labour administration, skills development, productivity, and workforce planning.
The meeting attracted senior government officials, labour market institutions, development partners, and representatives of workers’ and employers’ organisations, who examined ways to improve employment governance and create more opportunities for Nigerians seeking decent and sustainable jobs.
