Nigeria @ 66: Aremu Seeks Remodeling Of National Labour Institute

The director general of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS),Ilorin, Comrade Issa Aremu has called for a strategic presidential comprehensive remodeling and repositioning of the Institute.

He said the remodeling of MINILS which is long overdue should be done within the context of Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu .

Aremu made the plea at the Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary Town Hall themed: “Nigeria @ 66: Reflections on Labour Education Since Independence.

“One area Nigeria has made a giant stride to ‘decolonize’ and give meaning to independence is in the area of education in general and labour education in particular”, Aremu said.

He added that, “while the wealth of humans is the wealth of nations, education is the key to unlock the
talents and innate skills of workers for development.“

He said MINILS remains Nigeria’s foremost labour market institution dedicated to labour education.

Aremu disclosed that since its establishment, the Institute has remained a strategic national asset promoting industrial harmony, strengthening democratic labour market institutions and supporting sustainable economic development through educational service delivery.

He added that MINILS has impacted on millions of workers, employers of labour and government officials through labour education for independent trade unionism that struggles for decent work, industrial harmony and productivity improvement.

Aremu, however, said notwithstanding its enormous contributions to national development, decades of increased utilisation, ageing infrastructure, low budgets, technological changes and inadequate capital renewal have overstretched the Institute’s physical facilities.

He said, “Urgent modernisation and redevelopment of the Institute will represent a strategic national investment aimed at repositioning MINILS as Africa’s leading centre of excellence for labour education in Industrial Relations, Social Dialogue, Productivity Development and Future of Work Studies.

“ Modernization of MINILS presents a unique opportunity for His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to consolidate Nigeria’s democratic legacy by becoming the second democratically elected President, (after President Shehu Shagari), to undertake a transformational milestone of MINILS.

“Just as President Shagari laid the institutional foundation in 1983, President Tinubu will leave a lasting legacy by delivering a comprehensive remodelling and modernisation of Nigeria’s foremost premier labour education institution.

. “In addition to the labour friendly policies of President Tinubu such as minimum wage increase, prompt payment of pension arrears and public sector jobs improvement and retention, a Presidential comprehensive remodeling of the premier National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS ) will add to the 2027 selling campaign achievements of Mr President,” he added.

He stressed that the comprehensive remodelling of MINILS is an investment in Nigeria’s human capital, democratic institutions, industrial peace and economic prosperity.

“Notwithstanding inevitable workplace disputes and conflicts, the Institute’s programs have significantly contributed to industrial peace, improved collective bargaining, workplace democracy, productivity enhancement and peaceful labour-management relations, making MINILS one of Nigeria’s most enduring institutions for nation-building,” Aremu said.