List Of All The Ministers Of Labour And Employment In Nigeria (1951-Present)

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

MinisterTermPolitical Party
Samuel Ladoke Akintola1951–1954Action Group
Festus Okotie-Eboh1954–1957National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons
Joseph Modupe Johnson1959–1964Nigeria National Democratic Party
Adeleke Adedoyin1965–1966Nigeria National Democratic Party
Anthony Enahoro1967–1975National Democratic Party
Henry Adefope1975–July 1978National Party of Nigeria
Silvanus Olatunde Williams1978–1979National Party of Nigeria
Samuel Adebisi OgedengbeDecember 1979 – February 1982National Party of Nigeria
Emmanuel OsammorFebruary 1982 – October 1983National Party of Nigeria
Ali Baba1984National Party of Nigeria
Solomon Kikiowo Omojokun1984–1985National Party of Nigeria
Patrick Koshoni1985–1986National Party of Nigeria
Ike Nwachukwu– 21 December 1987National Party of Nigeria
Abubakar Umar21 December 1987 –National Party of Nigeria
Bunu Sheriff Musa(Exact dates not specified)National Party of Nigeria
Bola AfonjaAugust 1993 – 17 November 1993National Democratic Party
Francis John Ellah1993–1995National Democratic Party
Mohammed Uba Ahmed1995–1998All Nigeria Peoples Party
Emmanuel Onyemaechi Udogu1998–1999All Nigeria Peoples Party
Alabo Graham-DouglasJune 1999 – June 2000People’s Democratic Party
Musa Gwadabe3 June 2000 –People’s Democratic Party
Hussaini Akwanga– 4 December 2003 (sacked)People’s Democratic Party
Hassan Muhammed Lawal2004 – 17 December 2008People’s Democratic Party
Adetokunbo Kayode17 December 2008 – 10 February 2010People’s Democratic Party
Ibrahim Kazaure10 February 2010 – 17 March 2010People’s Democratic Party
Chukwuemeka Wogu6 April 2010 – 15 October 2014People’s Democratic Party
Kabiru Tanimu Turaki22 October 2014 – 2015People’s Democratic Party
Joel Danlami Ikenya17 March 2015 – 2015All Progressives Congress
Chris Ngige11 November 2015 – 29 May 2023All Progressives Congress
Simon Lalong21 August 2023 – 19 December 2023All Progressives Congress
Nkeiruka Onyejeocha19 December 2023 – PresentAll Progressives Congress

Who Was The First Minister Of Labour And Employment In Nigeria?

Samuel Ladoke Akintola

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?

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha

The current Minister of Labour and Employment in Nigeria is Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who assumed office on December 19, 2023.

Before her appointment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha served as the Minister of State for Labour and Employment from August 21, 2023, to December 19, 2023.

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha was born in Isuikwuato, Abia State, Nigeria. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Onyejeocha has been actively involved in politics since the early 2000s, serving as a member of the Abia State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2011.

In 2011, Onyejeocha was elected to the House of Representatives, where she has been serving as the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.

During her time in the House of Representatives, she has held several key positions, including serving as the Deputy Minority Whip from 2015 to 2019 and the Deputy Majority Whip from 2019 to 2023.

Now as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Onyejeocha is responsible for formulating and implementing policies that promote decent work conditions, manage labor migration, and oversee trade unions, among other functions.

She is also tasked with addressing the growing unemployment rate in Nigeria and implementing the National Employment Policy.

Onyejeocha has been recognized for her contributions to the development of her community and the country at large. In 2021, she was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for her outstanding service and dedication to her constituents.

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