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The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has urged the leadership of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to increase support for youth employment and social security in Nigeria.
Onyejeocha made the call when she met with ILO Director-General, Gilbert Houngbo, in Geneva, Switzerland, during the 350th session of its Governing Body.
The minister, on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Houngbo as the first African DG of the ILO after over 100 years of its establishment, assuring him of President Tinubu’s support and cooperation on strategic partnership.
She commended Houngbo’s achievements, which include promoting social justice and fighting inequalities in the world of work and ILO’s successful implementation of programmes in Nigeria, particularly those focused on youth employment, a key priority for President Bola Tinunu’s administration.
According to a statement signed by her Special Adviser on Media, Emameh Gabriel, Onyejeocha said: “We are seeing your handwork on labour relations and we are proud of you as the first African DG after 100 years. We will be requiring technical assistance from you in the departments in our ministry, especially in the areas of digitalisation.
“Nigeria is the second highest African contributor to the ILO budget (next to South Africa), thus the need to be more involved and strategically placed in the ILO. We, therefore, specially request that more Nigerian professionals be employed in the ILO to bridge the under-representation of Nigeria in the ILO workforce, both locally and internationally.”
The minister further informed the DG that Nigeria is vying for re-election into the Governing Board of the ILO as a Regular Member for the 2024-2027 triennium and covets the support of the ILO.
She noted that Nigeria contributes the second-highest amount among African nations to the ILO budget and requested increased collaboration and representation, and more technical support for the development of youth employment programmes and skills development initiatives.
Also, Onyejeocha requested the ILO’s assistance in upgrading the ILO office in Abuja to a ‘decent work office,’ serving English-speaking West Africa; developing action plans for the implementation of recently ratified ILO Conventions; digitalising and strengthening the country’s labour inspection system; building capacity for Nigerian labour ministry officials and increase in the number of Nigerian professionals employed by the ILO.
The minister also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to partnering with the ILO to promote decent work and social justice for all Nigerians.
The DG extolled Onyejeocha and Nigerians at the ILO, saying they have made good records of themselves and promised that the body would continue to support the country.
He said: “I am happy to see a woman as a Labour Minister from Nigeria and a former parliamentarian. Extend my greetings to the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu. Your representatives in ILO are doing well and Nigeria as our partner will continue to have our support on labour relations.”
