House of Representatives Lauds Tinubu's Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme

 

The House of Representatives has expressed strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), introduced during the celebrations of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day.

In a statement, Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati, Chairman of the House Committee on Labour, Employment, and Productivity, emphasized that the launch of LEEP represents a crucial move towards revamping Nigeria’s labor market and addressing the ongoing issue of unemployment in the country.

Adefarati referenced recent figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which show that unemployment in Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa, declined from 5.3% in the last quarter of 2022 to 4.1% in the first quarter of 2023, following adjustments in the calculation methods. However, this rate saw a rise to 5.0% by the third quarter of 2023, underscoring the necessity for long-term and sustainable job creation initiatives.

According to Adefarati, “A major strength of the LEEP initiative lies in its alignment with the key objectives of the Federal Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Productivity, which includes job creation.” He further highlighted that this program represents a transformative shift in the Ministry’s focus, moving beyond labor dispute resolution to actively supporting the creation of job opportunities across the country.

The goal of LEEP is to create 2.5 million jobs annually, with the aim of further reducing the unemployment rate and addressing the pressing economic challenges that many Nigerians currently face. By promoting comprehensive job creation efforts in both urban and rural areas, the program seeks to stimulate economic development and drive growth across a wide range of sectors.

“The socioeconomic impact of LEEP is substantial,” Adefarati remarked. “As employment opportunities increase, so too will the disposable income of Nigerian families, which in turn will lead to an improved quality of life and a reduction in poverty levels. This type of investment in the country’s human capital is key to accelerating national progress and fostering a more resilient economy.”

He also drew attention to the combined unemployment and underemployment rates, which rose from 15.5% in the second quarter to 17.3% in the third quarter of 2023, noting that LEEP is expected to bring about meaningful improvements in these figures. “This initiative will help enhance the employment-to-population ratio, which was recorded at 75.6% in the third quarter of 2023, and it will also help balance the labor force participation rate, which stood at 79.5% during the same period.”

Adefarati called on all relevant stakeholders, including government bodies, private sector players, and civil society organizations, to collaborate on the successful implementation of LEEP and related programs. “It is through collective effort that we can establish a sustainable pathway toward economic prosperity and shared progress for all Nigerians,” he stated.

He concluded by offering high praise for President Tinubu’s leadership, commending his commitment to ensuring a better future for the country. “This is an opportunity we must embrace. By working together, we can turn this vision of renewed hope into a reality for all Nigerians,” Adefarati said.