List Of All The Ministers Of Labour And Employment In Nigeria (1951-Present)
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Nigeria plays an important part in managing labor relations and ensuring the welfare of workers. Established in 1939, the ministry was initially set up to address labor issues arising from World War II.
It began as the Department of Labour, which was created on October 1, 1942, to manage labor movement issues and enforce protective legislation.
Over the years, it has undergone several name changes, becoming the Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity in 1979 and later the Ministry of Labour in January 2007.
The ministry is responsible for formulating and implementing policies that promote decent work conditions, manage labor migration, and oversee trade unions, among other functions.
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List Of Ministers Of State For Labour And Employment In Nigeria
| Minister | Term | Political Party |
|---|---|---|
| Samuel Ladoke Akintola | 1951–1954 | Action Group |
| Festus Okotie-Eboh | 1954–1957 | National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons |
| Joseph Modupe Johnson | 1959–1964 | Nigeria National Democratic Party |
| Adeleke Adedoyin | 1965–1966 | Nigeria National Democratic Party |
| Anthony Enahoro | 1967–1975 | National Democratic Party |
| Henry Adefope | 1975–July 1978 | National Party of Nigeria |
| Silvanus Olatunde Williams | 1978–1979 | National Party of Nigeria |
| Samuel Adebisi Ogedengbe | December 1979 – February 1982 | National Party of Nigeria |
| Emmanuel Osammor | February 1982 – October 1983 | National Party of Nigeria |
| Ali Baba | 1984 | National Party of Nigeria |
| Solomon Kikiowo Omojokun | 1984–1985 | National Party of Nigeria |
| Patrick Koshoni | 1985–1986 | National Party of Nigeria |
| Ike Nwachukwu | – 21 December 1987 | National Party of Nigeria |
| Abubakar Umar | 21 December 1987 – | National Party of Nigeria |
| Bunu Sheriff Musa | (Exact dates not specified) | National Party of Nigeria |
| Bola Afonja | August 1993 – 17 November 1993 | National Democratic Party |
| Francis John Ellah | 1993–1995 | National Democratic Party |
| Mohammed Uba Ahmed | 1995–1998 | All Nigeria Peoples Party |
| Emmanuel Onyemaechi Udogu | 1998–1999 | All Nigeria Peoples Party |
| Alabo Graham-Douglas | June 1999 – June 2000 | People’s Democratic Party |
| Musa Gwadabe | 3 June 2000 – | People’s Democratic Party |
| Hussaini Akwanga | – 4 December 2003 (sacked) | People’s Democratic Party |
| Hassan Muhammed Lawal | 2004 – 17 December 2008 | People’s Democratic Party |
| Adetokunbo Kayode | 17 December 2008 – 10 February 2010 | People’s Democratic Party |
| Ibrahim Kazaure | 10 February 2010 – 17 March 2010 | People’s Democratic Party |
| Chukwuemeka Wogu | 6 April 2010 – 15 October 2014 | People’s Democratic Party |
| Kabiru Tanimu Turaki | 22 October 2014 – 2015 | People’s Democratic Party |
| Joel Danlami Ikenya | 17 March 2015 – 2015 | All Progressives Congress |
| Chris Ngige | 11 November 2015 – 29 May 2023 | All Progressives Congress |
| Simon Lalong | 21 August 2023 – 19 December 2023 | All Progressives Congress |
| Nkeiruka Onyejeocha | 19 December 2023 – 2024 | All Progressives Congress |
| Maigari Dingyadi | 2024 - Present | APC |
Who Was The First Minister Of Labour And Employment In Nigeria?
The first Minister of Labour and Employment in Nigeria was Samuel Ladoke Akintola, who served from 1951 to 1954. Samuel Ladoke Akintola was born on July 6, 1910, in Oyo State, Nigeria.
He attended the prestigious CMS Grammar School in Lagos and later went to the United Kingdom for further studies. His upbringing in a politically active family influenced his later involvement in politics and governance.
Akintola’s political journey began in the 1940s when he became a member of the Action Group, a political party founded by Obafemi Awolowo.
In 1951, he was appointed as the first Minister of Labour and Employment, where he was responsible for establishing labor laws and policies to protect workers’ rights.
He was instrumental in promoting industrial relations and addressing the needs of workers during a time of significant economic change in Nigeria.
Before becoming a minister, Akintola was involved in various educational and social initiatives. He was a teacher and later became a principal at a secondary school.
Akintola’s legacy is seen in his efforts to improve labor relations in Nigeria. He advocated for fair wages and better working conditions, which set the foundation for future labor policies in the country.
After a split in the party, he formed the Nigerian National Democratic Party, which led to political tensions in the region.
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Who Is The Current Minister Of Labour And Employment In Nigeria?
Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi is the new Minister of Labour and Employment in Nigeria. He officially assumed office on November 6, 2024.
Born in 1953 in Dingyadi, Sokoto State, he attended Ardo Baraya Primary School and Nagarta College in Sokoto before furthering his education at the School of Basic Studies.
He later graduated with a degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1978. Dingyadi’s career began in the Sokoto State civil service, serving in the ministries of education and water resources.
He also held the positions of Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the State Government, contributing to the state’s development.
He previously served as Minister of Police Affairs from 2019 to 2023, improving security coordination at the state and national levels.
Upon his appointment as Minister of Labour and Employment, Dingyadi pledged to build on the foundation set by his predecessors. He emphasized promoting peaceful industrial relations and maintaining harmony in labor-related matters.
He stated, “President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is interested in the well-being of the citizens, especially the workers. This is why I will, in line with the desire of our president, carry everybody along in dispute-related matters.”
Dingyadi is committed to working closely with the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and the ministry’s staff to achieve success.
Onyejeocha highlighted that the ministry aligns with the administration’s eight-point agenda and has been actively pursuing its goals.
The Labour Employment Empowerment Programme (LEEP), designed to create 25 million jobs for women and youths, is a massive initiative under the ministry.
