The Federal Government has pledged to deepen partnership with the organised private sector to improve working conditions, raise productivity, and sustain industrial peace across Nigeria.

Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Kamil Shoretire, and Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Smart Oyerinde, stated this when NECA paid a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary’s office in Abuja.

The meeting was an opportunity for government and the organised private sector to exchange views on pressing labour and employment issues and to underline the importance of sustained engagement between government and employers in tackling challenges confronting Nigeria’s labour market.

Speaking during the meeting, Shoretire said government could not achieve sustainable economic growth and job creation on its own, stressing that the active participation of employers and other stakeholders in the world of work was indispensable.

He said a closer working relationship between the Ministry and NECA would provide a platform for addressing emerging labour challenges, improving compliance with labour standards and ensuring that policies and interventions respond to the realities faced by workers and businesses alike.

The Permanent Secretary also spoke on the value of constructive dialogue among government, employers and workers, describing social dialogue as critical to preventing industrial disputes and preserving a stable climate for investment and economic development.

He assured NECA of the Ministry’s readiness to work with the Association and other social partners in developing practical solutions to challenges around employment, skills development and productivity.
Responding, Oyerinde commended the Ministry for maintaining an open-door policy toward employers and other stakeholders.

He pledged NECA’s continued cooperation with the Ministry in promoting best labour practices, strengthening skills development and building a workforce capable of driving Nigeria’s economic transformation.

The NECA Director-General noted that government and the private sector must work together to respond to the changing nature of work, particularly around skills gaps, employment generation, labour standards and competitiveness.

He also called for a predictable, business-friendly labour environment that allows enterprises to grow and create jobs while ensuring that workers’ rights and welfare remain protected.

Discussions at the meeting further touched on ways to strengthen synergy between government and employers in addressing challenges in the world of work, improving compliance with labour laws, and fostering a labour market that is more competitive, productive and inclusive.

Both parties agreed on the need for continuous consultation as Nigeria navigates evolving economic and labour market conditions, with officials describing the meeting as a step toward more coordinated action on issues affecting the country’s workforce.

The meeting was one of several engagements the Ministry has held with private-sector groups in recent months as part of efforts to strengthen tripartite dialogue involving government, employers and organised labour.