NGYouthSDGs, along with other key stakeholders, participated in the Non-State Actors Engagement on the implementation of Nigeria’s Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2023–2027, organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Held at the UN House in Abuja, the engagement brought together key stakeholders, including government representatives, employers’ and workers’ organisations, CSOs, and media, to review progress, share insights, and explore collaborative approaches to advancing decent work in Nigeria.
The DWCP is a strategic framework to address labour market challenges and is aligned with Nigeria’s National Development Plan and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023–2027. The DWCP in Nigeria is structured around 3 pillars of the Decent Work Agenda. It prioritises employment creation, social protection, and the promotion of labour rights, with a focus on youth, women, and persons with disabilities. Additionally, the DWCP is committed to ensuring fundamental labour rights, promoting compliance with occupational safety standards, fair wages, gender equality and promoting social dialogue in the workplace.
The first session, led by Mrs. Chinyere Emeka-Anun, provided a comprehensive overview of the ILO’s mandate, governance structure, and current development cooperation projects, such as ACCEL, SEESIN, and ARISE. She also highlighted the status of DWCP implementation, including resource mobilisation strategies and the role of the National Steering Committee.
Mrs. Ebiho Agun from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development shared updates on the Nigeria Employment Action Plan (NIYEAP) review process. She emphasised the use of a new digital reporting template and noted the inclusion of youth and CSOs in shaping the revised framework, reinforcing the importance of inclusive policy development and data integrity.
The third session, led by Ms. Dirisu Aisha, spotlighted the SEESIN project, which is critical to employment and skills development across Nigeria. SEESIN supports employment policy reform, technical and vocational education (TVET), digital and green skills training, and improved employment services through job and migrant resource centres. Ms. Aisha called for broader non-state actor participation to amplify SEESIN’s outreach and impact.
Employment Trends in Nigeria (Aisha)
- The unemployment rate for Q1 2024 was 5.3 percent, showing an increase from 5.0 percent recorded in Q3 2023. The unemployment rate among males was 4.3 percent and 6.2 percent among females.
- Employment Rate: 77.8 per cent (Q4 2022) – 78.7% (Q1 2023) (NBS Labour Force Survey)
- Underemployment Rate: 12.7 per cent (Q4 2022) – 12.2% (Q1 2023)
- Working Less than 40 hours per Week: 36.4 per cent of employed persons.
- Youth Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) Rate: 13.7% (Q3 2023)
- Informal Employment Rate: 92.3 per cent (Q3 2023)
- Strengthening Employment and Employability Systems in Nigeria (SEESIN)
Strategic Alignment with NGYouthSDGs’ Work
NGYouthSDGs’ participation at this engagement strengthens our ongoing advocacy for meaningful youth participation in national development policies. It aligns with our mission to empower young people through evidence-based policy engagement, particularly around SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
The event reinforced the need for multi-sector collaboration, particularly in:
- Amplifying youth employment initiatives, including entrepreneurship and digital skills training;
- Capacity-building efforts, especially around TVET and green skills;
- Promoting inclusive labour market policies;
- Fostering policy dialogues that engage youth-led CSOs in decision-making processes.
Conclusion
The event provided a platform for NGYouthSDGs to engage directly with national policymakers and ILO partners, contributing youth perspectives to employment discourse. Key employment statistics were also shared, such as a Q1 2024 unemployment rate of 5.3%, a youth NEET rate of 13.7%, and an informal employment rate of 92.3%, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive labour market reforms.
