The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday in Abuja, aimed at strengthening labour rights, improving the ease of doing business, and promoting responsible governance.
Speaking during the signing event held at CISLAC headquarters in Abuja, the Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said the partnership marked “a new and strategic collaboration” between organised business and civil society, describing it as a turning point for Nigeria’s socio-economic future.
“Today marks a new and strategic collaboration between two organisations with distinct but complementary mandates. At NECA, our role is to be the voice of organised business, to champion enterprise sustainability, decent work, economic renaissance, responsible business conduct and to advocate for a conducive business environment.
“For years, we have worked to build a prosperous Nigeria from an economic perspective. CISLAC, on the other hand, has masterfully championed the cause of transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil rights. You have been a crucial watchdog, ensuring that policy serves the public good.
“While some may see the private sector and civil society as operating in separate spheres, we recognise a profound shared interest. A business cannot thrive in an unstable or less transparent environment. Just as citizens deserve good governance, so too does enterprise. Our shared goals of a transparent, predictable, and fair Nigeria, both economically, socially and industrially, are not just complementary; they are inseparable.
“This MoU is not merely a document; it is a symbol of our mutual commitment to tackling Nigeria’s most pressing challenges together. A business cannot thrive in an unstable or less transparent environment. Just as citizens deserve good governance, so too does enterprise”, Ojerinde noted.
He stressed that the pact would leverage both organisations’ strengths in research, advocacy, and network-building. According to him, the collaboration would jointly address issues of public policy, decent work, taxation, climate change, and gender equality.
He added, “Our joint efforts will focus on key areas such as influencing the formulation and implementation of policies that support both economic growth and social welfare, promote ethical practices and corporate citizenship within the private sector. Advocating for a fair and transparent tax system that benefits all while removing the bottlenecks that hinder enterprise and job creation.
“The partnership will also ensure that labour rights are respected and the workforce is protected, advancing sustainable and green initiatives and advocating for fair and equal rights for women. This partnership is a clear demonstration that progress is best achieved through collaboration, not division. It is a testament to the belief that when the private sector and civil society work as allies, we can drive meaningful, lasting transformation.
“Our shared goals of a transparent, predictable, and fair Nigeria, economically, socially, and industrially, are not just complementary; they are inseparable. When the private sector and civil society work as allies, we can drive meaningful, lasting transformation.”
On his part, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, described the MoU as “a covenant of trust” between employers, civil society, and Nigerian workers.
He lamented the undervaluation of workers despite their sacrifices, noting that teachers, health workers, and farmers continue to sustain the economy under difficult conditions.
“For decades, Nigerian workers have borne the burden of our nation’s growth. Yet, too often, their sacrifices have been undervalued. Labour is not a commodity, workers are human beings deserving of fair wages, safe workplaces, and respect”, Rafsanjani declared.
The CISLAC boss said the partnership would advocate for evidence-based policies, social protection, climate action, and ethical corporate practices. He pledged that the organisation would “not shy away from holding power accountable” while also working with employers to create fairer workplaces.
“This is proof that employers and civil society can find common ground in recognising that when workers thrive, businesses prosper, and society flourishes. Work is not just a means of survival; it is dignity, it is justice, it is hope. When we empower the worker, we empower the employer. When we empower both, we empower Nigeria”, he said.
Rafsanjani also highlighted Nigeria’s troubling employment landscape, noting that while official unemployment stands near 5 per cent, underemployment and informal work continue to trap millions in precarity.
The MoU, both leaders agreed, would serve as a framework for advancing decent work, strengthening policy advocacy, and creating platforms for dialogue between workers and employers.
They expressed optimism that the partnership would not only benefit businesses and workers but also contribute to Nigeria’s broader economic renaissance.
