Employers Step Up to Shape Safer, Fairer Labour Migration in Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria: Supported by the ILO and GIZ, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) is rallying employers through the Labour Migration Advisory Committee for Employers (LMACE) to strengthen fair recruitment, ethical business practices, and better protection for Nigerian migrant workers.

The meeting, held under the GIZ-funded Action for Improving Labour Migration Governance in Nigeria (ACTION) Project, brought together representatives from employers’ organizations, private employment agencies, and social partners. Their shared goal: to strengthen dialogue, improve coordination, and ensure that Nigerian migrant workers are recruited fairly and treated with dignity.

Welcoming participants, Ms. Adenike Adebayo Ajala, speaking on behalf of NECA’s Director-General, expressed gratitude to the ILO and GIZ for their continued support. She reaffirmed NECA’s commitment to advancing labour migration initiatives that benefit both employers and workers.

LMACE provides a unique platform for employers to engage in shaping labour migration policies that are safe, inclusive, and aligned with labour market needs.

Mr. Augustine Erameh - ILO Employment and Labour Migration Officer

LMACE Chairperson, Chief Olutoyin Oloniteru, praised the leadership of NECA and ILO, and highlighted the committee’s growing relevance in addressing emerging challenges—especially the impact of digitalisation and artificial intelligence on labour practices.
Participants reflected on past achievements, including a workshop on gender mainstreaming in migration governance and the development of a gender-responsive workplan. NECA’s focal person, Ms. Isabella Usen, described the workplan as a “living document” that guides resource mobilization and ensures sustainability.

Mr. Jide Afolabi, Executive Secretary of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN), proposed a stronger partnership between LMACE and EAPEAN to unify employer voices and avoid fragmented efforts. His proposal included joint technical subcommittees, shared advocacy, and a Memorandum of Understanding to promote ethical recruitment in line with ILO guidelines.

The meeting resulted in several key outcomes including:

• Extension of LMACE’s gender-mainstreamed workplan to December 2027
• Development of a peer learning framework with counterparts in Ghana, Kenya, and GCC countries
• Agreement to advocate for bilateral labour agreements that protect migrant workers
• Plans to strengthen media and social media engagement to raise awareness on migration governance

“This meeting has helped us align our efforts and build a stronger foundation for protecting migrant workers,” said one participant. “We now have clearer strategies and tools to advocate for fair recruitment and better working conditions.”

The meeting closed with a renewed commitment from NECA, LMACE, ILO, and partners to deepen collaboration, amplify employer voices, and promote transparent, inclusive, and sustainable labour migration governance in Nigeria.