Promoting responsible business conduct for the realization of decent work among enterprises in Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria (ILO NEWS) - On 21 and 23 October 2024, the ILO, in collaboration with the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), conducted workshops on responsible business conduct (RBC) for the realization of decent work in Lagos and Abuja. The two events, organised with the financial support of the Government of France, within the framework of the France-ILO partnership, gathered a total of 91 participants in Lagos and 73 in Abuja, representing both multinational enterprises and SMEs. 

In his opening remarks, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director General of NECA, highlighted the importance of collaboration among businesses, government, and social partners in promoting sustainability and decent work. Dr. Vanessa Phala, Country Director of the ILO Office for Nigeria emphasized the importance of adopting responsible business practices to drive sustainable development and enhance global competitiveness and referred to the ILO’s MNE Declaration as a key framework for businesses to uphold and promote workers’ rights and contribute to inclusive growth. 

Participants were able to enhance their understanding of the ILO's approach to responsible business conduct (RBC) to align business operations with principles of international labour standards and foster the realization of decent work. They also gained valuable insights into the ILO MNE Declaration and its operational tools, such as the ILO Helpdesk for Business and the company-union dialogue.

After a panel discussion that provided Nigerian companies with the opportunity to share their good practices and initiatives aimed at promoting decent work, IOE presented recent developments and trends in human rights due diligence, highlighting the growing global expectation for businesses to integrate human rights and environmental considerations into their operations and guiding participants through a practical, step-by-step approach to conduct human rights due diligence in their businesses.  

Interactive group work allowed participants to develop a roadmap featuring concrete initiatives to advance decent work and responsible business conduct. The discussions underscored the importance of continued dialogue among companies, government, and social partners, emphasizing NECA’s crucial role in facilitating these engagements. Participants highlighted the need for support from the ILO and IOE, particularly in advocacy, capacity building, and resource-sharing, to turn their plans into actionable outcomes. The workshops concluded with a shared commitment from all stakeholders to collaborate further in promoting responsible business practices in Nigeria.