The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, clarified on Thursday that Nigerians expecting his ministry to provide jobs would be disappointed, as it is not part of their mandate.
He made this statement at the annual conference of the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja.
Dingyadi acknowledged Nigeria’s large youth population and the importance of ensuring their engagement.
However, he emphasized that job provision is not the responsibility of his ministry. “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.
He explained that the ministry’s role is to create an enabling environment for job creation, not to directly secure jobs for individuals.
“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.”
The Minister also mentioned that the former Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare, had requested jobs before his departure, but Dingyadi had reiterated that the ministry’s role is only to create the right environment for jobs, not to provide them directly. “We only create the environment for jobs. We don’t give jobs.”
Dingyadi further expressed that President Tinubu is committed to leading initiatives aimed at Nigeria’s economic recovery and transformation.
He highlighted the recent successful negotiation of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers, emphasizing efforts towards strategic investments in human capital, infrastructure, innovation, and institutional reforms.
“Mr President is poised and committed to providing the requisite leadership and driving initiatives geared towards Nigeria’s economic recovery and transformation,” he stated.
In a related speech, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite the current economic hardships.
He acknowledged that economic reforms often come with significant challenges, but assured the public that some of the President’s initiatives are beginning to show positive results.
“You will agree with me that the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment is never to give employment to people,” Dare said.
Dare also explained that the presidential media team is working to help Nigerians understand the reasons behind the ongoing reforms. “My job and that of the presidential media team is to try and win Nigerians over to understand why this is taking place,” he said.
He further discussed the ongoing reforms in sectors like fiscal and monetary policies, oil, manufacturing, power, and more, all driven by President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda.
He noted that while the path to reform is challenging, it is essential for the country’s future. “Very often, it is the path that has challenges, very difficult but most certainly leads to the desired destination.”
Dare also expressed President Tinubu’s belief in taking action now to avoid more significant issues in the future.
“We also have a President who believes failure to take one stitch now will mean we are going to take nine stitches down the road. But I believe one stitch now is better.”
Lastly, the NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, urged Nigeria to focus on improving its public relations and international reputation. He argued that a country without a good reputation struggles to attract investors.
“Public Relations builds and promotes reputation. And we are saying that we must take the reputation of our nation seriously,” Neliaku stated. He added that only with a strong reputation can Nigeria attract the investments needed to boost its economy. “If your economy does not have respect for the way things ought to be done, nobody will invest in such an economy,” he concluded.
