Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has emphasized the need for innovation and collaboration to address the evolving nature of work.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Labour, Comrade Mumini AbdulKareem Onagun, the governor delivered his remarks at the 10th National Labour Summit and Award Ceremony, held at the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, on Tuesday
In his speech, Governor AbdulRazaq commended the Director-General of MINILS, Comrade Issa Aremu, and his team for organizing the event, which focused on the theme,
Just Event Online TV reports, He described the theme as timely and crucial for preparing Nigeria’s industrial and labour relations sector for the future of socio-economic development.
The governor lauded MINILS for its pivotal role in shaping the West African labour landscape, highlighting its unique position as the only labour institute of its kind in the region. He noted that the institute’s work in fostering capacity development and industrial harmony is essential for sustaining Nigeria’s national development agenda.
Governor AbdulRazaq reiterated his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, social protection, and infrastructural development. Citing examples such as the multimillion-naira Kwara Garment Factory, he stressed the government’s focus on initiatives that spur industrial growth and create opportunities for workers.
He also commended labour unions and workers in Kwara State for their support and cooperation, pledging to reciprocate their goodwill through policies and programs that prioritize their interests
Addressing the summit’s focus, the governor emphasized the need to embrace technological advancements such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). He warned that failing to adapt to these changes would leave Nigeria lagging behind in global development.
“The future of work is already here,” he stated. “We must embrace these anticipated changes and trends to shape the nature of work and employment in ways that benefit us all.”
Governor AbdulRazaq called on the government, employers, and organized labour to collaborate in developing skills and strategies that leverage emerging technologies and ensure Nigeria’s workforce remains competitive in the evolving global economy.
The governor urged all tripartite partners to utilize MINILS as a platform for fostering collaboration and building harmonious labour-government relations. He expressed confidence that the summit’s array of development experts would provide valuable insights to guide future labour policies.
