Labour Minister to Lead Discussions on Workforce Excellence at National Summit

Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, alongside other key stakeholders, is set to headline the upcoming National Productivity Summit focused on driving workplace excellence and industrial growth. The high-profile event scheduled for October will bring together government officials, private sector leaders, and labour unions to address critical workforce challenges.

Summit Highlights:
– Theme: “Building a Competitive Workforce for Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution”
– Focus areas: skills development, labour productivity, and workplace innovation
– Expected attendance: 500+ delegates from across sectors

The Labour Minister will deliver the keynote address on “Repositioning Nigeria’s Labour Market for Global Competitiveness,” outlining the government’s new productivity enhancement initiatives. Other confirmed speakers include:
– President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
– Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
– Representatives from leading multinational corporations

**Critical Issues on the Agenda:**
1. **Digital Skills Gap**: Addressing Nigeria’s shortage of tech-savvy workers
2. **Productivity Measurement**: Developing new metrics for workforce evaluation
3. **Labour Law Reforms**: Updating regulations for the modern economy
4. **Youth Employment**: Creating pathways for graduate employability

Industry analysts view this summit as timely, coming when Nigeria’s labour productivity growth has stagnated at 1.1% annually – below the African average of 2.3%. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria recently reported that workforce productivity challenges account for 30% of operational bottlenecks in the industrial sector.

The summit will feature:
– Masterclasses on productivity tools and techniques
– Sector-specific breakout sessions
– Launch of the National Productivity Benchmarking Framework

Private sector participants have particularly welcomed the initiative. “This collaboration between government, labour and business is exactly what Nigeria needs to transform its workforce potential,” noted the CEO of a leading FMCG company.

With Nigeria’s working-age population projected to reach 125 million by 2030, experts agree that such strategic focus on human capital development could determine whether the country benefits from its demographic dividend or faces worsening unemployment crises. The outcomes of this summit are expected to directly inform new labour policies and workforce development programs.

Delegates will also examine international best practices from countries like Singapore and Vietnam that have successfully boosted workforce productivity through targeted interventions. The three-day event concludes with the presentation of the National Productivity Awards recognizing exceptional organizations and individuals.