By Darasimi kikelomo
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is set to host a groundbreaking National Dialogue focused on promoting sustainable and responsible business practices as a pathway to achieving decent work for all. The event, scheduled for May 27–28, 2025, will be held in Abuja in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and with financial support from the Government of France.
The two-day high-level forum, themed “Promoting Sustainable and Responsible Business Practices for the Realization of Decent Work,” will bring together a diverse coalition of stakeholders. Participants will include senior government officials, representatives from employers’ and workers’ organizations, multinational and national enterprises, as well as international partners such as the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
“This dialogue reflects Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive and sustainable economy,” said Dr. Nkechi Udeh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour and Employment. “It aligns with the goals of Nigeria’s Agenda 2050, which places a premium on economic diversification and social progress.”
Organizers describe the dialogue as a critical platform for collaborative engagement. Discussions will center around the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration), a globally recognized instrument that promotes responsible business conduct. The Declaration is uniquely endorsed by governments, employers, and workers, and aims to amplify the positive contribution of businesses to sustainable development while addressing operational challenges.
“The MNE Declaration provides a shared blueprint for how enterprises can operate responsibly while advancing decent work and economic justice,” said Vanessa Phiri, ILO Country Director. “This event offers Nigeria a significant opportunity to lead by example on the continent.”
Among the issues to be explored are the opportunities and challenges posed by multinational enterprises operating in Nigeria, best practices aligned with the MNE Declaration, and national and international initiatives that encourage ethical and sustainable business conduct.
The dialogue will feature key voices including representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). It will also include participants from France’s diplomatic and development sectors, and representatives from IOE, ITUC-Africa, and the ILO.
“We must ensure that business growth translates into quality employment,” said Ayodele Bakare, President of NECA. “Responsible business is not just good ethics—it’s smart economics.”
This upcoming dialogue builds on recent national initiatives. Notably, it follows a 2023 workshop in Abuja that produced a stakeholder-developed roadmap for promoting responsible business, as well as two regional workshops held in Lagos and Abuja in October 2024. Those sessions convened more than 160 participants and strengthened the foundation for cross-sector collaboration in support of decent work.
“This is more than a meeting,” added Comrade Aisha Lawal of the Nigeria Labour Congress. “It’s a movement to ensure that every job in Nigeria meets the standards of dignity, fairness, and respect.”
At the conclusion of the dialogue, participants are expected to agree on concrete follow-up actions that will enhance coordination and accountability, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and equitable economic future for Nigeria.
