FIC REPORT (SOKOTO STATE) – The Federal Government is engaging stakeholders across the country to promote understanding and support for extending social care to informal workers.
The Minister for Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, disclosed this in his address at a meeting organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment with the support of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),International Labour Organisation (ILO), European Union (EU), and the world Bank, on Tuesday, 20th October, 2026 at Dankani Hotels, Sokoto in Sokoto state.
The Minister stated that the objective of the dialogue is to provide a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on the practical and sustainable approach to expand social protection coverage to informal economy workers, including issues relating to social insurance, Health insurance, employment injury protection, income security and other relevant social protections.
Dingyadi, explained that workers in the formal sector benefit from pensions and services designed to promote decent work, provide social protection and improve working conditions, while workers in the informal economy lacked similar benefits and often left to fend for themselves without adequate social security.
“That is why we are going round to let people know, let government, and employers know that this protection is necessary. It is a right, and we need to extend it to informal economy,” he stated.
He further explained that majority of Nigerian workers operate in the informal sector, stressing the need for the establishment of social protection system that would enable them to work and live under decent conditions.
In his keynote address, the Governor of Sokoto state, Ahmed Aliyu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bello Muhammad Sifawa, stated that the is timely and commendable and assured stakeholders of the Government’s readiness to partner with donor organisations willing to contribute to the state’s development.
The Governor pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at strengthening social protection and achieving targeted welfare and goals for people across the state.
The event was attended by some notable dignitaries including the sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar lll, members of the International Labour Organisation,TUC and the NLC.
Ramatu Sani (Mrs),
Head of Centre,
FIC, Sokoto.
22nd/10/2026.
