The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has called for urgent reform of Nigeria’s labour laws to reflect emerging digital, flexible and technology-driven work arrangements across sectors.

The Director-General of NECA, Adewale Smart-Oyerinde, made the call during the inauguration of the National Industrial Relations Policy (NIRP) on Wednesday in Abuja.

“Existing laws no longer adequately capture realities of hybrid work, the platform economy and evolving global employment practices.

“The world of work is rapidly changing, requiring stronger institutions and updated legal frameworks for effective regulation.

“Without strong institutions, policies alone cannot deliver desired outcomes in the labour and industrial relations space,” he said.

He noted that the world of work was rapidly changing, stressing the need for stronger institutions and updated legal frameworks to guide employers, workers and regulators effectively.

Mr Smart-Oyerinde said Nigeria’s industrial ecosystem is built on shared but differing interests, requiring continuous efforts to bridge gaps between employers and workers.

He explained that both employers and workers operate within contradictions that must be managed through effective systems and well-defined labour institutions.

According to him, without strong institutions, policies alone cannot deliver desired outcomes in the labour and industrial relations space.

He noted that excesses could occur from both employers and labour unions, stressing the need for structured regulation and accountability mechanisms.

Mr Smart-Oyerinde said global labour systems were evolving rapidly, and Nigeria must keep pace through consistent policy and practice improvements.

He reaffirmed NECA’s commitment to strengthening labour and industrial relations institutions for a more stable and productive work environment.

He urged the government to prioritise the review of the Labour Act to accommodate hybrid work, digital platforms and new employment models.

Mr Smart-Oyerinde added that updated laws would ensure Nigeria aligns with global standards and positions its workforce for future economic competitiveness.

He said labour institutions remained critical to sustaining industrial peace, warning that weak structures could undermine policy implementation and workplace stability.

Mr Smart-Oyerinde said there was a need for continuous dialogue among stakeholders, noting that collaboration is essential to managing emerging workplace dynamics.

He called for sustained government commitment to reforms that would strengthen productivity, protect workers’ rights and enhance investor confidence in Nigeria’s labour market.

(NAN)