FES Nigeria and Mondiaal FNV Empowers Young Workers with In-depth Training on Labour Laws and Institutions

Young people are critical to the future of trade unionism and to the strength, effectiveness and legitimacy of the trade unions. Hence, we must continue to strengthen the voices of young trade unionists within the trade union movement in Nigeria, through education and training.

Recently, members of the 2025 Young Workers Leadership Programme in Abuja, completed the training module 4 on Labour Laws and Institutions, facilitated by Mrs Omoabie Akpan, the former Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations (TUSIR) at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Nigeria. The module was designed to provide this dynamic group of young trade unionists, emerging labour leaders and social movement leaders, an in-depth exploration of Nigeria’s legal and institutional labour landscape.

Participants engaged with key legal instruments beginning with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and moved through the Trade Unions Act, Trade Unions (Amendment) Act of 2005, and the Labour Act CAP L1, all presented in digestible formats with room for critical discussion. A major highlight of the day was the detailed session on the Trade Disputes Act, including the Essential Services provisions, which sparked engaging conversations around workers’ rights and dispute resolution mechanisms in critical sectors. The day concluded with a productive group work session and a breakdown of the Employee Compensation Act (ECA), 2010, which emphasized the importance of workplace safety and workers' entitlements.

The session also expanded the focus to institutional frameworks, offering participants firsthand knowledge of the bodies that shape labour relations in Nigeria. Presentations on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FML&E) explored both international standards and national practices in maintaining industrial peace. The Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) were also introduced as crucial tools for industrial justice. Participants further explored the regulatory functions of the NSITF (National Social Insurance Trust Fund) and the educational mandate of MINILS (Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies).

The training provided not only legal knowledge but also built solidarity among young workers from various sectors. Participants expressed appreciation for the practical nature of the programme and its relevance to their work as frontline advocates for labour rights.

FES Nigeria, in collaboration with Mondiaal FNV, reaffirmed its commitment to building the next generation of trade union leaders who are well-informed, confident, and ready to defend workers’ rights in an increasingly complex labour environment.