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admin The Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN) has vowed to clamp down private companies that fail to comply with the national minimum wage and violate decent work standards.
At EAPEAN’s 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, the newly elected President, Chief Nzeribe Okegbue, pledged that the union will partner the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to uphold workers’ rights, especially in enforcing the ₦70,000 minimum wage.
Chief Okegbue emphasized that his administration is committed to strengthening EAPEAN’s internal structures and deepening its collaboration with regulatory and international labour bodies.
He said: “Our plan is to reinforce our existing structure and relationship with the Federal Ministry of Labour, and other social partners like the ILO, IOM, and other relevant government agencies. We will also encourage our members to go the extra mile in compliance and capacity building through regular training.”
The EAPEAN president, who worried over reports that some companies still pay workers as little as ₦20,000 to ₦50,000 monthly, said the union would no longer remain silent on the issue.
“For us, decent work starts with decent pay. You cannot talk about decent work when workers earn far below the ₦70,000 minimum wage. That is unacceptable. Decent work also means ensuring worker safety and a healthy work environment,” Okegbue added.
Immediate past president of EAPEAN, Mr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, highlighted the growing challenges facing Nigeria’s private employment sector. He cited rising labour costs, inflation, restrictive government policies, and a weak infrastructure base as some of the major hurdles employers face.
“The new minimum wage has driven up costs while inflation continues to erode profit margins. Despite these challenges, we remain focused on promoting ethical recruitment, digitising employment processes, and ensuring compliance with labour laws. Protecting job seekers and migrant workers remains a top priority,” Ogunlowo added.
Both leaders reiterated EAPEAN’s commitment to advocating for ethical standards in Nigeria’s labour market, and working closely with stakeholders to ensure fair and decent employment practices across the private sector.
