LACAN Conference: FG to declare war on labour casualisation

The Federal Government has expressed its full readiness to confront the issue of casualisation of labour, describing it as one of the major challenges in the country.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, who made this known at the 2nd Annual Labour Conference of the Labour Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (LACAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said growing casualisation of labour undermines productivity and national stability.

The minister, who declared the conference open, said the government was putting in place relevant measures to engage employers of labour to promote decent jobs with a a view of ending casualisation.


“The Federal Government will continue to strengthen policies that protect workers and create jobs that guarantee dignity, fairness and productivity,” Dingyadi said.

While saying the theme of the conference, ‘Local Content, Casualisation and Fair Labour Migration,’ was apt in view of the present challenges confronting the labour sector , the minister said the government would leave no stone unturned to deepen local content implementation, tackle casualisation, and promote fair labour migration to ensure decent work for all Nigerian workers


The minister explained that local content was not merely an economic policy but a statement of national self-determination for inclusive growth and industrial participation, adding that the ministry has intensified efforts to ensure compliance.

“Nigerians must be active participants and beneficiaries of industries within our borders,” Dingyadi said.

He noted that the growing casualisation of labour undermines productivity and national stability, describing it as one of the most pressing challenges facing the labour sector.


“A workforce that lacks job security cannot plan for the future or contribute meaningfully to the economy. Addressing casualisation is central to social justice,” he said.

Dingyadi said the ongoing review of Nigeria’s labour laws would introduce clearer provisions to regulate new forms of work, including contract and platform-based employment.

“We are determined to modernise our legal framework in line with International Labour Organisation conventions and global best practices,” he said.
He commended LACAN for its role in shaping public understanding of labour issues and assured that the ministry would continue to partner with journalists to promote decent work.


Also speaking at the event, that attracted key stakeholders in the nation’s labour sector, the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr Silas Agara, commended LACAN for providing a platform to discuss sustainable employment generation and decent work.

The NDE boss ,represented by Mrs Amezhi Apia, Director, Special Duties, said NDE had trained more than 33,800 youths and resettled 4,683 beneficiaries with start-up kits and soft loans.

“The Directorate remains committed to reducing unemployment and poverty to the barest minimum as there is no alternative to doing so,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of LACAN, Mr Patrick Abulu, described the conference as a call to action for a fairer and more inclusive labour environment.


“We are gathered not merely as attendees, but as architects of a fairer future and voices for the voiceless in the struggle against poverty and inequality,” he said.

Abulu added that the theme underscored the need for homegrown solutions to poverty and inequality through fair labour recruitment and decent work practices.

“The fight for fair labour recruitment is inseparable from the fight for a prosperous Nigeria.
“We must dismantle structures of casualisation and guarantee decent work for all,” he said.

The AUTHORITY reports that the event also witnessed papers presentations, and presentation of awards to the minister and some labour leaders for their contributions to the labour sector.