President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, appealed to Nigerians to be involved in governance and production, saying they should also join his administration in moving the country from consuming to producing economy.
Speaking at the 10th National Labour Summit and Award organised by the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), the President said that every stakeholder at the summit should see themselves not merely as participants but as co-architects of Nigeria’s recovery.
“We are a consuming economy. Everybody had to join the production hub to see that in the near future everybody will be satisfied and food will be on the table of every Nigerian,” he said.
The theme of the summit is “the future of work and Renewed Hope Reform Agenda: Issues and perspective.”
Represented by Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the president said; “Our administration is saying everybody should come together and be part of the movement to remove Nigeria from the space of poverty. We are at the verge by which everybody had to be involved. We are at the point where everybody had to understand what the economic indices are and how to improve it, rather than stay in one place idly complaining”.
The President said that his administration is focused on making sure that every agenda on the renewed hope is carried to the letter, and charged MINILS to “apart from training workers, preach reconciliation and dialogue.
“MINILS should engage the people on the reforms that the Federal Government has taken on the economy so that the people will be part of them. If everybody is part of the progress we will have less rancour”.
“This administration has demonstrated its commitment to dialogue as the primary means of resolving labour and industrial issues. The historic resolution of the National Minimum Wage discussions is a testament to this.
“We engaged extensively with labour unions, employers, and other stakeholders, ensuring that all voices were heard and a consensus was reached.
“However, let me emphasize that social dialogue is not a one-time exercise but a continuous process. Labour reforms, though essential for progress, are not without challenges. They often involve difficult decisions and, at times, painful adjustments. Disputes may arise, but with true and honest engagement among trade unions, employers, and the government, these disputes can and will be resolved constructively. Industrial action, while a legitimate right, must always remain the last resort.
“Encouraging Buy-In of Reforms, this summit provides a crucial platform for fostering mutual understanding and securing the buy-in of our social partners to the government’s reform agenda.
“As we explore the components and processes of the Renewed Hope Agenda, I urge all stakeholders here to see themselves not merely as participants but as co-architects of Nigeria’s recovery.
“Through open dialogue, we can build trust, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that the reforms we embark on are not only understood but embraced by all.
“Let us work together to create an inclusive and sustainable labour market that uplifts every Nigerian, protects workers’ rights, and fuels our nation’s development”.
Earlier, Director General of the Labour Institute, Comrade Issa Aremu, said that the institute surpassed its 2024 ministerial targets on deliverables.
“In 2024 MINILS was assigned 1,250 ministerial targets and deliverables as key performance numbers. We are happy to report that despite the challenges of operating environment MINILS Surpassed 2024 ministerial deliverables target of 1,250 to over 2,000 on-site at the institute in Ilorin.
“If we add online workers trained and skill up training for employability in carpenters, dye and tye, cinematography and photography by our Entrepreneurship Development department, MINILS has impacted on 3,500 workers in private and public sectors drawn from the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Also, our internally generated revenue from our highly subsidized courses marginally improved even though eroded by high cost of training and transportation due to rising inflation.
“Remarkably too, MINILS recorded significant gender mix of both male and female participants from different unions, employers’ associations, and states including People living with Disabilities ( PLWD).
“Indeed Participants from the six geopolitical zones of the country attended in the year MINILS training programmes implying that the Institute has impacted nationally based on its mandate”.
Also speaking, Chairperson, Central Planning Committee, Mrs. Olaide A. Ajiboye, said that “the hope of our reform agenda rests on the principles of social justice, economic equity, and the fundamental rights of every worker.
“This summit serves as a crucial platform for dialogue and collaboration. Our shared goal is to champion the fundamental rights of workers, promote fair practices, and ensure that all voices are heard”.
