‘Providing Employment Is Not My Ministry’s Responsibility’ — Labour Minister

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has clarified that the provision of jobs is not part of his ministry’s mandate. 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 while the ministry acknowledges the challenges posed by Nigeria’s large youth population and the need for gainful employment, it is not responsible for creating jobs directly. Instead, he said the ministry’s role is to foster an enabling environment that supports job creation, rather than securing jobs for individuals.

Dingyadi made it clear that the core task of the Ministry of Labour and Employment is not to provide employment, but to facilitate conditions that allow for job opportunities to thrive. He cited the example of his predecessor in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, who had asked for jobs to be provided, to which Dingyadi replied that their responsibility was only to create the environment for such opportunities, not to offer direct employment.

He also pointed to the government’s commitment to economic recovery and transformation through initiatives like the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers, investments in human capital, and infrastructure development. These efforts, he suggested, align with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes inclusive investment and enhanced productivity for better public service.

Meanwhile, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, encouraged Nigerians to remain patient with the current economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu. He acknowledged the hardships faced by the public but assured that these reforms, which span multiple sectors, were beginning to show positive results. He further stressed that President Tinubu was committed to tackling the country’s economic challenges with strategic long-term solutions.

In his remarks, Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, urged the country to focus on improving its global image, stressing that a strong reputation is essential for attracting international investors and boosting the economy. He argued that a country’s economic success is closely tied to how it is perceived on the world stage.