The Employers Association of Private Employment Agencies Nigeria (EAPEAN), in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has called on Private Employment Agencies (PEAs) across Nigeria to move from reactive to proactive compliance in their recruitment practices to improve labour migration governance.
The appeal was made during a two-day strategic workshop themed “Strengthening the Capacity of Private Employment Agencies in Nigeria on Labour Migration Governance”. The event brought together industry leaders, regulators and stakeholders to promote ethical recruitment and encourage adoption of the revised Code of Conduct for PEAs.
Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Jide Afolabi, Executive Secretary of EAPEAN, said the Code of Conduct is built on fundamental principles such as respect for the law, professional behaviour, transparency, fairness, non-discrimination, free recruitment services for job seekers, workplace safety, data protection, continuous professional development, and effective dispute resolution.
To fully embed these principles, Afolabi urged agencies to shift towards a proactive compliance culture to enhance credibility, manage risks, improve efficiency, and align with national development objectives. He recommended integrating the Code into internal policies, including employee handbooks, and conducting regular staff training on ethical and legal responsibilities.
He added that external oversight would involve routine inspections by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, with sanctions for breaches and mandatory reporting of recruitment activities.
Afolabi also introduced a self-assessment tool under the Code’s monitoring and evaluation framework. He encouraged management to visibly endorse the Code and allocate sufficient resources to support compliance.
“The revised Code of Conduct offers a robust framework to promote ethical recruitment and protect workers’ rights. Embracing it is not just a duty, but a strategic investment in professionalism, trust and sustainability. The time to act is now,” he said.
Mr Rex Bamidele, EAPEAN’s Third Vice President, emphasised that while the labour market is open to all, international recruitment poses unique challenges, making compliance crucial for credibility.
The workshop is part of ongoing efforts by EAPEAN and the ILO to position Nigerian recruitment agencies as responsible partners in national and global decent work agendas.
