The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has called on the House of Representatives to urgently accelerate the passage of key national labour bills. The call comes ahead of the formal transmission of these crucial bills to the National Assembly.
A press release signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Patience Onuobia, listed several transformative bills, including the Labour Standards Bill, Collective Labour Relations Bill, Occupational Safety and Health Bill, Labour Institutions Bill, and a proposed amendment to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Act of 2010 to align it with the Employees’ Compensation Act. Also on the docket are updates to the National Directorate of Employment Act (2004), National Productivity Act (2004), and the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies Act.
Dingyadi made his appeal during the inaugural National Policy Dialogue on the Legislative Agenda of the House held in Abuja. He emphasized that fast-tracking these bills is crucial to aligning Nigeria’s labour laws with global standards, improving the nation’s Labour Administration System, and creating an environment conducive to investment, productivity, and social justice.
The Minister lauded Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and the House leadership for organizing the dialogue, describing it as a strong signal of their dedication to driving legislative reforms that promote national development. According to him, the platform enables critical conversations among lawmakers, policy experts, technocrats, and sector leaders on issues directly affecting Nigeria’s economic trajectory.
Dingyadi reiterated that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is ready to collaborate fully with lawmakers to ensure the timely passage of the bills. He stressed that a modern, responsive legislative framework is not just a tool for governance it’s a necessity for empowering Nigeria’s youth, protecting workers’ rights, and fostering sustainable economic growth.
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Describing the Legislative Agenda as a strategic guide for institutional reforms, Dingyadi said it offers clear benchmarks to assess progress, address systemic gaps, and define actionable paths forward. He also outlined the Ministry’s core responsibilities: enforcing labour laws, improving occupational safety, creating employment opportunities, and ensuring fair working conditions across all sectors.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu hailed the National Policy Dialogue as a groundbreaking step toward inclusive lawmaking and improved public engagement. He said the forum helps bridge the gap between the National Assembly and citizens, fostering transparency and accountability.
With unemployment and underemployment rates still high, the urgency surrounding these bills could not be more timely. As the nation awaits the House’s next move, stakeholders across the board are watching closely hoping for a legislative breakthrough that could reshape the future of work in Nigeria.
