Nigerians Shouldn’t Expect Jobs From Labour Ministry – Minister

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has clarified that job creation is not part of his ministry’s responsibilities, cautioning Nigerians against expecting employment opportunities from his office.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja on Thursday, Dingyadi emphasized that the ministry’s role is limited to creating an enabling environment for employment rather than directly providing jobs.

Dingyadi said, “You will agree with me that the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment is never to give employment to people.

“However, it is at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly as it relates to job creation, sustained and inclusive investment, as well as the promotion of enhanced productivity for improved service delivery.”

Reflecting on interactions with other officials, Dingyadi recounted, “As you are aware, the ministry is not there to provide employment, because the former minister of youths and sports (Sunday Dare), before he left, was asking me to give him jobs. I said we only create the environment for jobs. We don’t give jobs.”

He further highlighted the government’s commitment to economic recovery through the Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on fostering investments, enhancing productivity, and improving service delivery.

Dingyadi noted that President Bola Tinubu is actively steering initiatives aimed at economic transformation, citing the successful negotiation of a new minimum wage as a testament to the administration’s dedication to improving workers’ welfare and driving sustainable development.

“Mr President is poised and committed to providing the requisite leadership and driving initiatives geared towards Nigeria’s economic recovery and transformation.

“This is evident in the recent successful negotiation of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers, and the deliberate efforts towards sustainable strategic investments in human capital, infrastructure, innovation and institutional reforms,” Dingyadi added.

He concluded by reiterating that the ministry’s role is to support job creation indirectly through infrastructure development, innovation, and institutional reforms rather than direct employment.