FG must mediate labour-investor tensions in Niger Delta — Igali

Nigerian diplomat, Amb. Godknows Igali, is advocating for government at all levels to establish robust mechanisms to protect critical investments from disruptive labour disputes, which threaten industrial growth and job creation, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

Amb. Igali emphasized that while the rights of workers to fair wages and decent working conditions are sacrosanct, a deliberate balance must be struck to prevent investors from being “strangulated” by incessant and often unpredictable industrial actions.

“Government has a dual responsibility: to protect the welfare of labour and to create a conducive environment for businesses to flourish. We are at a point where we must ask the government to institute a more proactive approach, including a functional early warning system and pre-emptive mediation steps, to have better control over labour-related disruptions,” Amb. Igali said during his recent appearance on AIT programme “Focus Nigeria”.

He argued that without this balance, the nation risks scaring away the very investments needed to drive economic development and curb unemployment. He specifically pointed to the need to attract and retain major investors like Dangote, BUA, Aiteo, Seplat etc in the Niger Delta, a region ripe for industrial transformation but plagued by instability.

“The government must take concrete measures to encourage and protect these key investors in the Niger Delta. Their presence is critical for our regional economy. However, they will only stay and expand if they are confident that their operations will not be constantly hampered by unrestrained labour actions that disregard broader economic consequences,” he added.

Amb. Igali urged the government to play a more active role as a mediator and regulator in the relationship between labour and capital. This, he said, involves ensuring that labour disputes are resolved through dialogue and within a framework that considers the long-term viability of the business and the jobs it sustains.

“Strangulating investors with unchecked labour demands leads to divestment, factory closures, and job losses—a lose-lose situation for everyone. The government must therefore consciously provide a shield for investors, ensuring that the legitimate pursuit of workers’ rights does not inadvertently kill the goose that lays the golden egg. A stable and predictable labour environment is non-negotiable for the industrial revival we seek in the Niger Delta and across Nigeria.”