The General Secretary of the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), Comrade Akhator Joel Odigie, has called for urgent reforms to address the growing socio-economic crisis across Africa.
He highlighted the increasing disparity between economic policies and the industrial realities on the continent, stressing the need for a new approach to governance that prioritizes workers’ rights, industrial capacity, and energy justice.
Speaking at the Tripartite High-Level Engagement of the International Labour Organisation at the United Nations House in Abuja, Odigie emphasized the importance of establishing a new social contract that would align economic policies with the needs of the workforce. He praised the Global Coalition for Social Justice initiated by the ILO but pointed out that Africa must go beyond outdated policies that do not address the continent’s immediate challenges.
Odigie also raised concerns about Nigeria’s economic policies, noting that while the country has a robust industrial strategy, its industrial capacity has not kept pace with the ambition of these policies. The gap between policy intentions and industrial capacity has led to inefficiencies and frustrations in the economy, according to Odigie.
Another significant issue that Odigie identified as a barrier to Africa’s progress is the continent’s energy crisis. He argued that the lack of access to reliable and affordable energy must be addressed before industrialization can become a reality for Africa.
The ITUC-Africa General Secretary also stressed the urgency of tackling the climate crisis, warning that failure to address climate change will make all economic efforts futile. He criticized the outcomes of COP29, calling the summit a disappointment for Africa, and urged the continent to seek solutions through collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society.
Turning to local concerns in Nigeria, Odigie expressed frustration with the delays in implementing the national minimum wage, which he believes is a critical issue for workers. While the government is quick to implement other policies, the slow pace of minimum wage reforms has left many workers struggling to survive, according to Odigie.
He also called for the establishment of social safety nets to protect vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. These groups, he argued, need support to ensure their well-being and integration into the broader social and economic fabric of Africa.
In conclusion, Odigie noted that Africa has yet to fully benefit from previous industrial revolutions and now faces the challenge of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by digital technologies. Despite this, he expressed optimism about the future, emphasizing that Africa must take control of its destiny and define its role in shaping a prosperous future for all.
Odigie’s remarks underscored the need for Africa to rethink its economic policies, secure energy justice, address climate change, and provide decent wages and social safety nets for workers to build a more just and equitable society.
“We are excited. Comrade DG, thank you for the initiative: Global Coalition for Social Justice. But why are we excited? As organized labour in the continent and globally, we have been advocating for a new social contract. The current contract is not working!
“Nigeria has an industrial strategy that is very robust and imaginative. But these policies do not correlate with industrial capacity visualization that you see in the country.
” For our continent, our aspiration to industrialization is not one that we have negotiated well. But to get there, energy justice needs to be attained.
” As you speak today, the climate crisis is a big one that we must really, really deal with. Because if we don’t, we say at the ITUC that there are no jobs on a dead planet!,” Odigie said.
“You see here in Nigeria, where policy restrictions are done and the next minute, implementation starts. Sometimes the implementation starts at inauguration. But when it comes to minimum wage, implementation drags. How do you want the worker to survive when the wages cannot take anybody home?
“There must be a safety net that empowers people, critically so for women, other vulnerable groups, disabled persons, the elderly, children. They need a social safety net to bring them up across the board.
” We just have to agree. What is the role for all of us, coming together, charting a policy prescription, an idea, and a sense of direction that works for everybody?” he added.
