President Bola Tinubu has called for a shift in Nigeria’s economic focus, urging the country to transition from a consumer-based economy to a production-oriented one.
Represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, at the 10th National Labour Summit and Awards organized by the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) in Ilorin, the president emphasized the need for collective effort in driving this transformation.
During his speech, Tinubu highlighted that every Nigerian must play a role in governance and production to achieve sustainable development.
He expressed optimism that such efforts would lead to better living standards for all citizens.“We are a consuming economy. Everybody has 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,” Tinubu stated.
He called for unity in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, urging citizens to actively participate in efforts to reduce poverty and boost the economy.“Our administration is saying everybody should come together and be part of the movement to remove Nigeria from the space of poverty.
We are on the verge of which everybody has to be involved.
We are at the point where everybody must understand the economic indices and how to improve them and not stay in one place idly complaining,” he added.
The president also reiterated his administration’s commitment to the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” stressing that it would be implemented thoroughly.
He specifically urged MINILS to focus on training workers while also promoting 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,” he said.Furthermore, Tinubu praised his administration’s efforts in resolving labour issues through social dialogue.
He pointed to the successful national minimum wage discussions as a significant achievement in fostering cooperation between the government, employers, and trade unions.“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,” Tinubu stated.
He emphasized that social dialogue should be an ongoing process, not just a one-time occurrence.
While acknowledging the challenges of labour reforms, the president urged all stakeholders to engage constructively to resolve disputes.“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,” he remarked.
The summit provided a platform for the government to seek buy-in from social partners on its reform agenda, with Tinubu stressing the importance of mutual understanding in achieving progress.
In his remarks, the Director-General of MINILS, Comrade Issa Aremu, reported that the institute had exceeded its 2024 ministerial targets, achieving more than 2,000 deliverables, surpassing the set goal of 1,250.
He also highlighted the institute’s efforts in training workers from various sectors, noting the impact of its programs on over 3,500 workers across the country.
“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 the operating environment, MINILS surpassed the 2024 ministerial deliverables target of 1,250 to over 2,000 on site at the institute in Ilorin,” Aremu said.
He added that the institute’s online and on-site training programs, including courses in carpentry, dye and tie, cinematography, and photography, had contributed to the skills development of workers in both the private and public sectors
. Despite inflationary pressures, MINILS also saw improvements in its internally generated revenue.“If we add online workers trained and skills 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 the private and public sectors drawn from the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Also, our internally generated revenue from our highly subsidised courses marginally improved even though eroded by the high cost of training and transportation due to rising inflation,” Aremu concluded.
