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Government Targets Social Protection Expansion for Informal Workers

by admin on | 2026-11-08 17:01:46

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Government Targets Social Protection Expansion for Informal Workers

By Muhammad Bala Imam

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerian workers, expanding employment opportunities and extending social security benefits to millions of people working in the informal sector.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, gave the assurance at a Citizens Engagement Programme organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Sokoto.

The programme had the theme: “Renewed Hope: Protecting Workers, Creating Jobs and Building a Resilient Labour Market.”

Dingyadi said the engagement was aimed at exploring strategies for extending social protection to workers in the informal economy.

He explained that while workers in the formal sector benefited from pensions and other social protection arrangements, millions of Nigerians operating in the informal economy lacked similar benefits.

According to him, the Federal Government is engaging stakeholders across the country to mobilise support for an inclusive social protection system that recognises the contributions of informal workers to national economic development.

“That is why we are going round to let people know, let government and employers know that this protection is necessary. It is a right, and we need to extend it to the informal economy,” he said.

The minister stressed that protecting workers remained essential to building a productive economy, reducing poverty and improving the living conditions of Nigerian households.

He noted that the majority of Nigerian workers operated in the informal sector, making it necessary to develop practical mechanisms that would guarantee their welfare and economic security.

Dingyadi said the government's commitment to protecting workers was consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on employment generation, decent work and inclusive economic growth.

He called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, organised labour, employers and development partners to ensure effective implementation of social protection programmes.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Kamil Shoretire, said the engagement was designed to understand the specific opportunities and challenges facing residents, particularly youths, women, workers, employers and vulnerable groups.

He said the feedback from citizens would help the ministry develop responsive policies and programmes that address employment challenges and improve workers' welfare.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), development partners and other stakeholders.