The International Labour Organisation (ILO), Oxfam, and other civil society organisations have joined forces with the Federal Government to strengthen workplace gender equality policies in Nigeria.
The initiative was announced by Mrs. Olaolu Olaitan, Director of the Inspectorate Department at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, during a stakeholders’ re-validation meeting on the National World of Work Gender Policy held in Abuja on Thursday.
Olaitan explained that the policy seeks to eliminate discrimination, violence, and harassment in workplaces while advancing inclusiveness and equity. She noted that the re-validation process would ensure the policy reflects Nigeria’s socio-economic realities as well as global best practices.
She commended the role of government agencies, organised labour, employers’ associations, Oxfam, and the ILO in shaping the framework, stressing that workplace gender equality requires the collective effort of all stakeholders.
Dr Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and ECOWAS, described the exercise as a landmark step. She noted that Nigeria had shown leadership by ratifying ILO Conventions 100, 111, and 190 on equal pay, non-discrimination, and workplace harassment.
Phala emphasised that the policy aligns with the Beijing Declaration, the African Union Gender Policy, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals—particularly Goal 5 on gender equality and Goal 8 on decent work. She added that the framework provides safeguards for vulnerable groups, including informal and migrant workers, people with disabilities, and those with family responsibilities.
“If fully implemented, this policy could serve as a model for the region, showcasing Nigeria’s leadership on workplace equality,” Phala said.
Mr John Makina, Country Director of Oxfam in Nigeria, also hailed the validation as a milestone for advancing fair and inclusive workplaces. He urged stakeholders to ensure the policy becomes a living framework capable of closing gender gaps, promoting inclusivity, and safeguarding decent work for all.
Makina commended the Ministry’s leadership and the ILO’s technical guidance in aligning the document with international labour standards.
