The Federal Government has called on the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of several critical labour reform bills aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s labour administration framework.
This appeal was made on Monday by the Minister of Labour and Employment during the inaugural Policy Dialogue on the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, held in Abuja. The event was organized by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), with support from UK Aid and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF).
In his address, the Minister identified three priority bills awaiting legislative action: the Labour Standards Bill, the Collective Labour Relations Bill, and the Occupational Safety and Health Bill. He noted that these legislative reforms, once enacted, would enhance workplace standards, attract greater investment, boost productivity, and promote social justice.
“I appeal to the House of Representatives to give urgent attention to these bills,” he said. “They are vital to repositioning our labour administration and ensuring Nigeria remains competitive in a global economy.”
Executive Director of PLAC, Barr. Clement Nwankwo, highlighted the significance of the dialogue as a platform for evaluating the National Assembly’s progress and setting the tone for impactful governance. He described the House’s eight-point Legislative Agenda as a binding pact with Nigerians and a roadmap to national stability and growth.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, also addressed participants, affirming the 10th Assembly’s commitment to inclusive governance, accountability, and transparency. He emphasized that the House had embarked on the most ambitious legislative agenda in Nigeria’s history, aligning its priorities with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
“When this House was inaugurated in June 2023, Nigeria was facing economic difficulties, security concerns, and a widespread sense of disillusionment. We knew we had to act with urgency and boldness,” the Speaker said.
He acknowledged the challenges brought on by fuel subsidy removal and pledged that the legislature would continue to respond with adaptive and people-focused reforms. According to him, over the past two years, the House has enacted transformative laws, including those on student loans, data protection, public health, tax modernization, and national security.
Notably, the Speaker cited efforts to enhance transparency through rigorous oversight, which have led to the recovery of public funds and improved government accountability.
“The 10th House has introduced a record number of legislative proposals, with a clear focus on reform and impact,” he noted. “We have taken steps to modernize critical sectors, strengthen institutions, and advance regional development.”
As the House approaches its midterm mark, the Speaker reaffirmed the legislature’s dedication to citizen engagement, openness, and measurable governance outcomes.
The dialogue also served as a prelude to the upcoming Open NASS Week — a platform where the National Assembly will publicly review its performance and reaffirm its commitment to democratic accountability.
