The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has stated that job creation does not fall within the mandate of his ministry, clarifying that his department is tasked with creating a conducive environment for employment, rather than directly providing jobs to Nigerians.
Dingyadi made the remarks during his address at the annual conference of the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja on Thursday, November 28. The conference, attended by PR professionals and government officials, focused on the challenges of Nigeria’s growing youth unemployment and the role of government in tackling the issue.
While acknowledging the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s rising youth unemployment, Dingyadi explained the limitations of his ministry in directly providing jobs. “You will agree with me that the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment is never to give employment to people,” he said. “But 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.”
Dingyadi further emphasized that his ministry’s role is to create an environment that allows for job opportunities to flourish, not to hand out jobs. “As you are aware, the ministry is not there to provide employment because the former Minister of Youth and Sports, 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 explained.
The Labour Minister also highlighted the federal government’s broader economic agenda under President Bola Tinubu, which includes efforts to foster economic recovery and growth, improve service delivery, and empower Nigeria’s workforce through strategic investments. “Mr. President is poised and committed to providing the requisite leadership and driving initiatives geared towards Nigeria’s economic recovery and transformation,” Dingyadi affirmed. “This is evident in the recent successful negotiation of a new Minimum Wage for Nigerian workers, and the FG’s deliberate efforts towards sustainable strategic investments in human capital, infrastructure, innovation, and institutional reforms.”
Dingyadi’s comments come at a time when youth unemployment in Nigeria remains a significant concern. According to recent statistics, millions of young Nigerians are out of work, despite the country’s growing working-age population. The Labour Minister’s statement highlights the need for a more holistic approach to solving the unemployment crisis, with an emphasis on fostering private sector growth, promoting entrepreneurship, and improving skills development, alongside government initiatives.
The Labour Minister’s remarks have sparked a wide range of reactions, with many Nigerians questioning the role of government in solving the country’s job crisis. While Dingyadi maintains that his ministry’s responsibility is not to directly create jobs, his statements underscore the importance of creating the right economic conditions for businesses and industries to thrive.
As the government looks to tackle the challenges of unemployment and underemployment, Dingyadi’s clarification serves as a reminder that job creation is a multi-faceted issue that requires collaboration across different sectors of the economy.