The International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) have launched a strategic initiative to enhance the adoption of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) in Nigeria.
The joint effort, unveiled during a workshop in Abuja, aims to foster sustainable and responsible business practices, key to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, which focuses on decent work and economic growth.
Speaking at the event, Vanessa Phala, the ILO Country Director for Nigeria, emphasized the need to broaden the concept of business performance beyond financial outcomes.
“We have moved from viewing business success solely through a financial lens to recognizing the importance of sustainability, community commitment, and environmental responsibility,” Phala noted.
She further highlighted the growing focus on human rights, particularly in areas like fair wages, safe working conditions, and the elimination of child labor.
The workshop is part of the ILO’s ongoing efforts to promote the MNE Declaration, a global commitment to fostering responsible business conduct. “Businesses must be accountable not only for their financial success but also for their social and environmental impacts,” Phala said.
She emphasized that RBC is essential to achieving the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, which ensures respect for workers’ rights, occupational health, safety, and fair wages.
On his part, Dr.. Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, Director General of NECA, underscored that the principle of responsible business conduct has always been central to global business standards, though it is now gaining more attention.
“While profit is crucial, we must also be mindful of how we achieve that profit,” he said. “Responsible business conduct goes beyond compliance, it places workers, human rights, and environmental considerations at the heart of business operations,” he added.
He then noted that NECA has long advocated for responsible enterprise, but this renewed focus aims to ensure that more businesses operate ethically and sustainably. “It’s a collective effort. Employers, workers, unions, the government, and civil society must all play their part in creating an environment that supports decent work,” Smatt-Oyerinde explained.
He also noted that RBC is not just an employer’s responsibility but a collaborative effort involving the government, employees, and other stakeholders.
The NECA DG also pointed out the role of government in creating an enabling environment for businesses, while workers and unions should hold both employers and government accountable when standards are not met.
Earlier, the ILO Country Director hinted that as part of the ongoing dialogue on RBC, the ILO plans to convene a national forum next year, where stakeholders will define priorities and develop a roadmap for advancing responsible business practices across Nigeria.
She noted that the dialogue will mark a critical step towards embedding responsible business conduct in Nigeria’s economic landscape, ensuring that businesses contribute not only to profit but to the well-being of workers, communities, and the environment.
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