The International Labour Organization (ILO) opened its First African Office in Nigeria in 1959; the ILO has been providing technical cooperation assistance to Nigeria and neighbouring countries. The ILO Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Gambia is located in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, home to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The ILO Office in Abuja coordinates and oversees the activities undertaken in these five West African countries. The offices main objective is to work closely with ILOs constituents - Government, Employers and Workers organisations - to promote Decent Work for All.

The ILO Office in Abuja aims at achieving the four strategic objectives of the ILO (Fundamental principles and rights at work and international labour standards; Employment and income opportunities; Social protection and social security; Social dialogue and Tripartism) in the countries of operation. The identification and achievement of the objectives depends on the needs of each of the constituents as reflected in each countrys Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP). The ILO Office in Abuja mobilizes significant resources to create opportunities and to help reduce and alleviate poverty."