Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed confidence that Nigeria could surpass the United States to become the third most populous country by 2050. Speaking during a meeting with International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director-General Gilbert Houngbo at the Presidential Villa, Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s demographic advantage, stating that the country’s youthful population, with the right policies, could become a significant economic asset.
Shettima emphasized the importance of equipping Nigeria’s digitally literate youth with skills to thrive in the evolving global economy. He also expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with organized labor to ensure workers’ well-being. Shettima praised the Nigerian Labour Congress for its dedication to improving workers’ rights and noted that most states have already implemented the new minimum wage, some exceeding the ₦70,000 benchmark.
Houngbo thanked the Nigerian government for its support during his election and emphasized the need to revive the National Labour Advisory Council for more productive social dialogue. He also urged the government to expedite labor code reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s labor market and foster economic development.