Abuja, Nigeria – As Nigeria moves to reform its labour laws, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has appealed to the House of Representatives for expedited passage of several critical labour-related bills set to be transmitted to the National Assembly.
Speaking at the Inaugural National Policy Dialogue on the Legislative Agenda of the House in Abuja, Dingyadi emphasized that swift legislative action on the proposed bills is essential for aligning Nigeria’s Labour Administration System with International Labour Standards.
The proposed legislations include the Labour Standards Bill, Collective Labour Relations Bill, Occupational Safety and Health Bill, Labour Institutions Bill, and amendments to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Act, 2010, to bring it in line with the Employees’ Compensation Act.
Other bills under consideration are updates to the National Directorate of Employment Act 2004, National Productivity Act 2004, and the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies Act.
“The Ministry is counting on the unwavering support of the House leadership and members to ensure Nigeria’s labour laws are modern, inclusive, and responsive to today’s economic and social realities,” Dingyadi said.
He commended the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, for organizing the policy dialogue, describing it as a “clear indication of the House’s commitment to nation-building and legislative impact.”
According to the Minister, enacting the labour bills would not only strengthen the legal framework for labour administration but also enhance job creation, investor confidence, workplace safety, and social justice.
“The legislative agenda of this House is a blueprint for national growth,” Dingyadi added. “It offers a legal framework that guides institutional strategies and provides mechanisms for evaluating progress.”
He further noted that the Ministry’s mandate—which covers enforcement of labour laws, job creation, workers’ rights, and vocational skills development—is vital for national development. He urged lawmakers to collaborate with the Ministry to ensure timely passage of the bills.
In his remarks, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu described the dialogue as a historic milestone aimed at fostering inclusive governance, improving public feedback mechanisms, and promoting transparency in legislative processes.
Dingyadi expressed optimism that the legislative partnership would help build a more equitable, productive, and prosperous Nigerian society.
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